Zero Carbon Electricity System 2024-10-08

2024-10-08

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Alex Barros-Curtis Lab
Cardiff West
Context
The question stems from the government's commitment to a zero carbon electricity system by 2030. The target requires significant progress in renewable energy and decarbonization initiatives.
What recent progress has been made on meeting the target of having a zero carbon electricity system by 2030?
In 12 weeks, this Government have hit the ground running for our 2030 target by ending the onshore wind ban in place for nine years under the Conservative party, consenting to more nationally significant solar projects than in 14 years of the last Government, and overseeing the most successful renewables auction in history compared with the Conservatives' disastrous auction round that crashed offshore wind. This is a Government in a hurry to meet our mandate from the British people, and we are just getting started.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Simon Opher Lab
Stroud
Context
The local community in Stroud is developing a programme to install solar panels on schools and public buildings. The aim is to support sustainable energy development.
What steps are being taken to support the installation of solar panels on schools and public buildings?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of both rooftop solar and ground-mounted solar. I can tell him that, as part of Great British Energy's plans, we want to work with local schools, local hospitals and, indeed, local leaders to have a solar panels programme, because this is a way to rapidly decarbonise and to save money off bills.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Alex Barros-Curtis Lab
Cardiff West
Context
Cantonian High School and Fairwater Community Campus are leading net zero initiatives that will help Cardiff deliver on its One Planet strategy.
Will the Secretary of State join me in celebrating Cantonian High School's efforts to become operationally net zero, and agree that collaborative vision is required for net zero commitments?
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker—and you, too, if I may say so. [Laughter.] I congratulate my hon. Friend, but particularly the Fairwater community campus on the work it is doing. I think he highlights a very important issue. By helping to decarbonise public buildings, including schools, we help not only to cut our carbon emissions, but, crucially, to save money for those schools that they can then use for frontline services.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Neil O'Brien Con
Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Context
The previous Secretary of State commissioned a Department to produce an economic cost analysis for getting to a fully decarbonised renewables-based grid by 2030. This information should be placed before the House.
When will the full economic costing information for achieving a fully decarbonised renewables-based grid by 2030 be published?
Of course, that work is ongoing—in fact, I think the right hon. Lady the shadow Secretary of State has written me a letter about it—and we will be announcing our plans in due course.
Assessment & feedback
specific timeline or concrete steps for publishing economic costing information
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
Two major offshore wind farms are being developed in the constituency, affecting local farmers. A potentially better route for the cabling corridor is proposed through a neighbouring constituency.
Will the Secretary of State commit to working with us on assessing an alternative route for the cabling corridor?
The hon. Gentleman—and he knows this—will obviously want to stand up for what he sees as the best benefits for his constituency. I will be cautious about what I say, because there are proper procedures for planning decisions, including my quasi-judicial role. I will make this general point to the House, because I think this may well be a recurring theme during questions, but if we want to get off the dangerous exposure to international fossil fuel markets, which we were left with by the last Government, we need to build the grid. Every solar panel we put up, every wind turbine we put up and every piece of grid we build will help to deliver energy security for the British people.
Assessment & feedback
commitment to assess alternative route
Proper Procedures Quasi-Judicial Role
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Mark Garnier Con
Wyre Forest
Context
The Secretary of State has not replied to a letter from the hon. Member regarding a full systems cost analysis. This information is needed to assess the costs of achieving carbon-neutral targets.
When will the full systems cost analysis be produced, so that we can analyse ambitious plans for carbon-neutral targets and explain to constituents how much it will cost them?
Let me tell the hon. Gentleman a little about the situation that we inherited from the last Government, because it is very relevant—obviously, he was not a Minister in that last Government. We inherited a situation where there was no plan: no plan for their target of 95% clean power by 2030, no plan for their target of clean power by 2035, and no plan to avoid a repeat of the worst cost of living crisis in generations. This Government are developing a plan and will publish it in due course.
Assessment & feedback
specific timeline or concrete steps for producing full systems cost analysis
Inherited Situation No Previous Plans
Response accuracy