Written questions by Hayes.

How much biomass electricity generation contributes to the UK's carbon footprint.

Government considers the use of sustainable biomass for electricity generation to be low carbon. This assessment takes into account emissions attributed to biomass from across the supply chain.The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes territorial emissions estimates, found here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-territorial-greenhouse-gas-emissions-national-statistics. However, international reporting guidelines, established by organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), require carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the combustion of biomass to be accounted for in the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector rather than the energy sector. Correspondingly, CO2 emissions from the use of imported biomass are accounted for in the LULUCF sectors across the national inventories in which the biomass was harvested.

What steps he is taking to provide long-term funding for (a) local energy efficiency and (b) net zero initiatives.

The Government recognises the importance of local action to help realise our national net zero targets. On energy efficiency, Government will partner with combined and local authorities to roll out the Warm Homes Plan. We are also using devolution deals with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities to pilot new approaches to funding retrofit from 2025 and are exploring how we can build on these for other areas. To support net zero initiatives, Government funds five Local Net Zero Hubs which support local authorities to develop net zero projects, including those relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy, and to attract commercial investment. Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will also provide commercial, technical and project-planning assistance, increasing capacity and capability to build a pipeline of successful projects in local areas.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) encourage commercial property owners to improve energy efficiency and (b) reduce energy wastage, in the context of duties set out in Section 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008.

Commercial landlords are already required to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards to improve energy efficiency and the Government has consulted on strengthening these, and we will publish the response early next year. Our energy advice service pilot in the West Midlands is delivering subsidised energy assessments and grant funding for energy efficiency measures to Small and Medium Enterprise’s (SMEs) in the region and we are currently considering options for longer term support for SME decarbonisation. Mandatory energy audits required under the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme also provide large businesses with cost-effective ways to save energy and reduce bills.

What plans he has to (a) support and (b) incentivise (i) small businesses and (ii) contractors to enter the renewable energy installation market.

The Government has introduced the £5 million Heat Training Grant, supporting trainees in England taking training relevant to heat pumps and heat networks. For heat pumps, the grant is designed to support businesses with 250 employees or fewer, including sole traders. Through the reconvened Solar Taskforce, we are identifying and taking forward the actions needed to develop supply chains and a high skilled, well-paid solar workforce. These actions will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, which is expected to be published in Spring 2025. DESNZ is also engaging closely with wider reforms to the skills system, including the creation of Skills England and the new Growth and Skills Offer. Our Office for Clean Energy Jobs will ensure we have the skilled workforce we need for the net zero transition, and good jobs are spread across the country.

Whether he has plans to revise or increase incentives for (a) solar photovoltaics installations and (b) battery storage solutions to help encourage wider adoption by (i) homeowners and (ii) businesses.

Details of actions being taken to increase deployment of solar power and battery storage will be set out the forthcoming Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, as well as the forthcoming Solar Roadmap. Since February 2024, the VAT for solar and battery storage has been 0% and will be until March 2027. And as part of the Warm Homes Plan, officials are exploring the role of incentives and private finance to support homeowners with the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heating, including support for solar and batteries.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of reforming the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme to help reduce the cost for installers.

The Government does not plan to reform the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive in order to reduce the cost for installers. The scheme closed to new applications at the end of March 2022 and no new installations have been carried out since that date.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of (a) reinstating and (b) expanding (i) local grant funding schemes previously funded through EU initiatives and (ii) other local grant funding schemes to support (A) energy efficiency and (B) renewable energy projects.

The Government recognises the importance of local initiatives in driving net zero action and provides initiatives, including funding, to help achieve this. On energy efficiency, Government will partner with local and combined authorities to roll out the Warm Homes Plan. Government is also using devolution deals with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities to pilot new approaches to funding retrofit from 2025. In addition, Government funds five Local Net Zero Hubs which support local authorities to develop net zero projects, including those relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy, and to attract commercial investment. Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will also provide commercial, technical and project-planning assistance, increasing capacity and capability to build a pipeline of successful projects in local areas.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) new incentives and (b) funding streams to support energy (i) audits and (ii) efficiency improvements in commercial properties.

Commercial landlords are already required to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards to improve energy efficiency and the Government has consulted on strengthening these, which we will publish the response to early next year. Through the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, large businesses must undertake energy audits and are encouraged to make energy efficiency improvements. We are currently providing audits and grants to SMEs as part of a pilot with the West Midlands Combined Authority, to identify and provide grants for energy efficiency measures for businesses. More detail on the Government’s approach to decarbonising non-domestic buildings, including through the Warm Homes Plan, will be published in due course.

What enforcement mechanisms his Department plans to put in place under ESOS Phase 4 to help ensure that companies comply with required energy efficiency measures.

The energy saving measures identified in audits by large businesses in scope of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) are currently voluntary to implement. ESOS participants are however required to submit actions plan and progress reports which can include information on proposed implementation of audit recommendations. The approach to enforcement in England, including civil penalties where ESOS requirements are not met, is set out in the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy. These arrangements were in place in Phase 3 of Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, and the Government has not announced any plans to make further changes in Phase 4.

What assessment he has made of the accuracy of the solar capacity identified in the report entitled Clean Power 2030, published by National Energy System Operator on 5 November 2024.

Work is ongoing to examine the ‘Clean Power 2030’ report from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The Government will provide its own assessment of the generating capacity required to decarbonise the grid by 2030, in a Clean Power Action Plan, set for release by year-end. This will include capacity estimates for solar power and other technologies.

What recent progress he has made on considering proposals from local authorities for funding from the Local Power Plan.

The Local Power Plan, a core function of Great British Energy, will put communities at the heart of the energy transition. It will support Local and Combined Authorities and Community Energy Groups to roll out up to 8GW of renewable energy projects. Since July, UK government officials have been engaging with the Local Government Association and the Devolved Administrations on the Local Power Plan to ensure that local needs are carefully considered. The recent Budget outlined £125 million in 2025-26 to set up Great British Energy as an independent company and begin delivering on its core functions, including local projects.

What estimate he has made of the contribution of on-shore solar energy to delivering the Government's target of clean power by 2030.

The rapid expansion of onshore solar power will be critical to achieving the Government’s clean power mission. The Government will shortly publish its Clean Power Action Plan. Set for release by year-end, this will include estimates of the solar capacity needed to decarbonise the grid by 2030. Further detail about how Government and industry will meet these targets will be set out in the Solar Roadmap due for publication early next year.

If he will take steps to ensure that (a) viable, (b) funded and (c) consented projects are delivered despite National Energy System Operator objections.

On 5 November, Government published an open letter,[1] jointly with Ofgem, supporting a reformed connections process that accelerates connections for viable projects aligned with strategic plans. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aligning-grid-connections-with-strategic-plans/open-letter-from-desnz-and-ofgem-aligning-grid-connections-with-strategic-plans-5-november-2024 [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aligning-grid-connections-with-strategic-plans/open-letter-from-desnz-and-ofgem-aligning-grid-connections-with-strategic-plans-5-november-2024

What steps his Department is taking to support the fitting of rooftop solar panels on (a) new build and (b) existing homes in Bournemouth East constituency; and how such solar panels will contribute to the Government's mission of clean energy by 2030.

Future standards next year will set new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuel markets and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. Our Warm Homes Plan will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out low carbon heating like solar and heat pumps. The Government is committed to working with industry to radically increase our existing solar capacity by 2030 to boost growth across the country, create thousands of high-skill, future-proofed jobs and tackle the climate crisis.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) identify sites for and (b) deliver small modular nuclear reactors in the South West.

Great British Nuclear (GBN) completed its purchase of the site at Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire) in June 2024. As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, and is now owned by GBN, Oldbury has the potential to host nuclear projects, though no decisions on projects or sites have yet been taken. In line with manifesto commitments, this Government is working to get Hinkley Point C over the line and will aim to bring forward further nuclear projects at Sizewell C and those involving Small Modular Reactors. As confirmed at the Autumn Budget, Great British Nuclear is progressing the SMR competition and is negotiating with four companies. These companies will be invited to submit final tenders, which will then be evaluated by GBN. Final decisions are intended to be taken in the Spring.

Whether his Department has set a target for the share of power to be provided by (a) small modular reactors and (b) other nuclear power by 2035.

Nuclear power, as one of the most reliable, secure, low-carbon sources of electricity, is and will continue to be an essential part of our journey to net zero. This Government is working to get Hinkley Point C over the line, and, as announced at the Autumn Budget, Great British Nuclear’s Small Modular Reactor competition has entered the negotiation phase with shortlisted vendors, with final decisions to be taken in the spring. The Budget also confirmed that a Final Investment Decision on whether to proceed with Sizewell C will be taken in Phase 2 of the Spending Review, as well as allocating £2.7bn of funding to support Sizewell C’s development in the next fiscal year.

How much funding he plans to provide through Great British Energy for small modular reactors over the next 10 years.

As Great British Energy (GBE) will be operationally independent, the exact mix of technologies GBE chooses to invest in will be determined by the company due course. The Government is considering how GBE and Great British Nuclear (GBN) can work best together to ensure that the UK achieves energy security and clean power whilst securing thousands of skilled jobs. GBN is pushing forward with the SMR competition for UK deployment. GBN is in negotiation with four companies; once negotiations have concluded, they will be invited to submit final tenders, which GBN will then evaluate. Final decisions will be taken in the spring.

What steps he is taking to incentivising energy performance-related improvements of commercial buildings in the private sector.

Minimum energy efficiency standards in non-domestic buildings have improved energy efficiency and Government has consulted on strengthening them. We will publish our government response early next year. In addition, our Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme requires large businesses to undertake energy audits and encourages improvements.There are also incentives to decarbonise with grants to small businesses through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund offers up to £500 million to support existing firms to decarbonise and grow, with the government recently confirming £163 million in phase 3 funding to invest by 2028. More detail on the Government’s approach to decarbonising non-domestic buildings, including through the Warm Homes Plan, will be published in due course.

What steps he is taking to support industry to reduce the embodied carbon emissions related to the (a) production and (b) use of new construction materials.

Ministers are considering options to reduce embodied emissions in industry by growing the demand for construction materials such as low carbon steel, cement and concrete. This includes resolving questions such as how embodied emissions in products are measured.The Government will consult on options for answering these questions in due course.The Government has established a Circular Economy Taskforce to support the efficient use of construction materials to reduce embodied carbon. Alongside this, Government continues to collaborate with industry groups to promote the efficient, circular use of construction materials, supporting research to enable this.

If he will make it his policy to give (a) local authorities and (b) Councils (i) powers, (ii) responsibility and (iii) resources to accelerate the delivery of the Government’s Warm Homes programme.

The Government’s ambitious Warm Homes Plan will upgrade 5 million homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan. We will set out further detail on delivering our Warm Homes Plan in due course.