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1151819

registered interest
date	23/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Wind Power: Lighting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions she has had with devolved Administrations on ensuring that warning lights on onshore wind turbines do not compromise gold tier dark sky parks including the Galloway and the Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.
tabling member constituency	Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
tabling member printed	Bill Grant
uin	4346
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>The Civil Aviation Authority set the requirements for warning lights on wind turbines in excess of 150 metres tall, to ensure high safety standards. Planning policy is a devolved matter in Scotland and it will be for the relevant Scottish Local Authority to consider the impact of light pollution from wind turbines.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 28/10/2019 13:22:08 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	4605 label Biography information for Bill Grant

1151204

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Renewable Energy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps she plans to take to ensure that the majority of energy generated in the UK is from renewable sources.
tabling member constituency	East Worthing and Shoreham
tabling member printed	Tim Loughton
uin	900049
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>Over half of the UK’s electricity comes from low-carbon sources. The Carbon Brief found that from July to September 2019, renewables accounted for 40% of overall generation, compared to 33% last year.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is investing £557 million in further Contracts for Difference auctions and over £3 billion for renewable technology innovation.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, we’re phasing out coal by 2025 and over 50% of electricity generation will be from renewable sources by 2030.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 22/10/2019 13:19:39 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	114 label Biography information for Tim Loughton

1151343

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Energy: Prices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment she has made of the potential effect on average household energy bills of the UK leaving the EU.
tabling member constituency	City of Chester
tabling member printed	Christian Matheson
uin	3622
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government recognises the importance to businesses and households of having access to an affordable, secure and sustainable supply of energy. The UK’s exit from the EU will not alter the fact that our energy system is resilient and secure and drawn from a number of sources.</p><p> </p><p>Many factors impact energy prices including fuel prices, exchange rates and generation mix. Great Britain will remain physically linked to the EU post-exit through electricity and gas interconnectors. We expect that any change in electricity prices in Great Britain as a result of changes to interconnector trading arrangements would fall within the normal range of market volatility. For gas markets, the mechanisms of cross-border trade are not expected to fundamentally change after exit. The UK gas market is one of the world’s most developed and provides security through supply diversity, most of which is not dependent on the EU.</p><p> </p><p>Energy regulators in Ireland and Northern Ireland have set out that the Single Electricity Market (SEM) will continue to operate immediately after Brexit, including in a No Deal scenario. The SEM is designed to put downward pressure on consumer electricity prices, facilitate the integration of renewables and provide continued security of supply. The UK is committed to seeking to maintain the SEM in any scenario and will therefore take all possible measures to do so.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has taken steps to enable electricity and gas trade to continue and maintain the effectiveness of domestic regulation, providing legal clarity for industry on the future operations of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s energy markets.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 28/10/2019 13:22:01 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	4408 label Biography information for Christian Matheson

1151346

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Electricity: Prices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the cost of electricity to consumers.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	3625
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>Energy policy is largely devolved to Northern Ireland, including energy price regulation. Across the island of Ireland the Single Electricity Market (SEM) is designed to put downward pressure on consumer electricity prices, facilitate the integration of renewables and provide continued security of supply.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to ensuring fair energy prices for consumers and has a range of policies in Great Britain. The Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act requires the energy regulator to cap standard variable and default energy tariffs. Ofgem estimate this could save consumers around £75-100 per year.</p><p> </p><p>There are around 60 domestic suppliers in the GB energy market with a range of innovative tariffs for consumers to choose from. Switching in early 2019 hit historic highs, with the total number of domestic switches in the 12 months up to July 2019 was 10% higher than over the same period last year. In August 2019, customers could save up to £408 a year by switching.</p><p> </p><p>Over 2 million low income and vulnerable households receive £140 off their electricity bills each winter through the Warm Home Discount.</p><p> </p><p>Improving the energy efficiency of a home is the best way of reducing energy bills for the long-term. Since 2013, over 2 million homes, including those with electric heating, have had their energy efficiency improved under the Energy Company Obligation.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 28/10/2019 13:22:20 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1151572

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Heating: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what her Department’s policy is on the decarbonisation of heating in Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Alan Brown
uin	3759
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>In 2019, the UK government set a legally binding-target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from across the UK economy by 2050. Meeting this target will require virtually all heat in buildings to be decarbonised, and heat in industry to be reduced to close to zero carbon emissions.</p><p> </p><p>Heat policy is devolved in Scotland, but in practice the devolution arrangement is complicated, with some levers (e.g. building regulations) being fully devolved, and others (e.g. fuel standards and specifications) being fully reserved. We are working to develop policies to meet our net zero target, and the Department has committed to publishing a new heat roadmap in summer 2020. This will set out the programme of work required to enable key strategic decisions in the first half of the 2020s on how we achieve mass transition to low carbon heating. The Department will work with colleagues in the Scottish Government to ensure that the implications and impacts for Scotland are fully accounted for.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng grouped question UIN 3761 question first answered 28/10/2019 13:23:10 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1151575

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Heating: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when her Department will publish its plans for the decarbonisation of heating in Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Alan Brown
uin	3761
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>In 2019, the UK government set a legally binding-target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from across the UK economy by 2050. Meeting this target will require virtually all heat in buildings to be decarbonised, and heat in industry to be reduced to close to zero carbon emissions.</p><p> </p><p>Heat policy is devolved in Scotland, but in practice the devolution arrangement is complicated, with some levers (e.g. building regulations) being fully devolved, and others (e.g. fuel standards and specifications) being fully reserved. We are working to develop policies to meet our net zero target, and the Department has committed to publishing a new heat roadmap in summer 2020. This will set out the programme of work required to enable key strategic decisions in the first half of the 2020s on how we achieve mass transition to low carbon heating. The Department will work with colleagues in the Scottish Government to ensure that the implications and impacts for Scotland are fully accounted for.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng grouped question UIN 3759 question first answered 28/10/2019 13:23:10 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1151576

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Heating: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate she has made of the level of funding required to decarbonise gas distribution networks in Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Alan Brown
uin	3762
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>Support for innovation remains an important part of accelerating decarbonisation. We announced our intention in 2017 to spend £60 million supporting innovative, low carbon energy infrastructure solutions across Scotland – including battery storage, sustainable heating systems and low emissions transport.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside this, Ofgem have funds available to encourage gas distribution networks innovation. One example is the Gas Network Innovation Competition. It provides an opportunity for gas network companies to compete for funding for the development and demonstration of new technologies, operating and commercial arrangements. Up to £20 million per annum is available through the Gas Network Innovation Competition.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 28/10/2019 13:23:27 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1151578

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Natural Gas: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment she has made in the role of gas distribution networks in Scotland in achieving Scotland’s decarbonisation targets.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Alan Brown
uin	3764
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>Gas distribution networks will play an important role in achieving Scotland’s decarbonisation targets. Gas networks have the potential to deliver low carbon gases such as hydrogen and biomethane. To accelerate the decarbonisation of our gas supplies, the Government has committed to increasing the proportion of green gas in the grid and will consult on the appropriate mechanism to deliver this commitment.</p><p> </p><p>In the near term, hydrogen could be blended with natural gas to reduce its carbon intensity. An example is the Hydeploy project at Keele University, which is planning to trial and demonstrate the safety of up-to a 20% hydrogen mix, decarbonising the delivered energy by around 8%.[1]</p><p> </p><p>In the longer term, it may be feasible and cost effective to use the gas networks to deliver 100% hydrogen to some or all connected areas. SGN is planning to demonstrate a 100% hydrogen gas network in Scotland, converting part of the gas distribution network to trial delivering hydrogen. The project is assessing the suitability of three sites in Scotland, in Aberdeen, Levenmouth and Machrihanish with one to be selected as the most suitable location for the construction of the demonstration network.</p><p> </p><p>[1] A vision for Scotland’s electricity and gas networks 2019-2030 report</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 28/10/2019 13:23:35 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1150891

registered interest
date	21/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Renewable Energy: Smart Export Guarantee
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) competitive and (b) fair market tariffs are available under the Smart Export Guarantee.
tabling member constituency	Chichester
tabling member printed	Gillian Keegan
uin	2902
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>The level of remuneration under Smart Export Guarantee tariffs will be determined by suppliers, in line with the aim of moving away from direct subsidy to cost reflective pricing and competitive market-based solutions.</p><p>The Government have asked Ofgem to report annually on the provisions made by suppliers for smaller scale exporters, including the range, nature and uptake of Smart Export Guarantee tariffs.</p><p>The Government will actively monitor the development of this market and will consider reviewing these tariff setting arrangements, if it becomes clear that small generators are not able to access a competitive range of export tariff options.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 28/10/2019 13:23:58 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan

1150966

registered interest
date	21/10/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Energy: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what sanctions her Department has introduced for landlords that do not lift their properties out of (a) G and (b) F energy ratings after receiving funding from the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard.
tabling member constituency	Oxford East
tabling member printed	Anneliese Dodds
uin	2917
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2019 answer text <p>The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 require that, since April 2018, domestic and non-domestic private landlords ensure their properties have an energy efficiency rating of at least an E at the point at which they issue a new tenancy, or renew or extend an existing one.</p><p> </p><p>While landlords are free to explore third-party funding options, such as local authority grants, no specific funding is available to help them meet their legal obligations, and landlords are expected to draw on their own funds to finance improvements, subject to a number of cost-effectiveness tests. The regulations set separate cost-effectiveness test for landlords of domestic and non-domestic property.</p><p> </p><p>The regulations give enforcement powers to local authorities in respect of the domestic provisions, and to local weights and measures authorities in respect of the non-domestic provisions. Enforcement authorities have a range of penalty options for tacking non-compliance, up to and including the issuing of financial penalties. For domestic property, financial penalties are capped at £5,000 per breach; for non-domestic property, financial penalties are capped at £150,000 per breach.</p> answering member constituency Spelthorne answering member printed Kwasi Kwarteng question first answered 24/10/2019 10:13:03 answering member 4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng
tabling member	4657 label Biography information for Anneliese Dodds