Clean Energy Wales 2025-06-11
2025-06-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Wales has a significant tidal range potential which promises green growth and industrial employment. The Severn Estuary Commission has completed its recommendations on tidal lagoons.
What steps is the Secretary of State taking with other Cabinet colleagues to ensure that tidal plays a prominent role in the transition to clean energy?
The Government remain open to well-developed proposals for harnessing tidal range energy. The National Energy System Operator has launched a research innovation project to model the impacts and value of tidal range, with a report expected tomorrow.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific steps or timeline for implementing tidal projects beyond ongoing research.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Wales has significant potential for green jobs and renewable technologies.
What steps is the Minister taking to roll out this important work in Wales?
Wales has a huge role to play in our clean energy mission, supporting innovative renewable technologies such as tidal stream on Anglesey and floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea which could deliver up to 5,000 new jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete steps or timeline for roll-out beyond mentioning existing projects.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Green energy requires efficient transmission, but undergrounding can be costly.
Will the Minister commit to undergrounding any new electric transmission in Wales?
I commend the hon. Member for her campaigning on this issue, but as she understands, the cost of undergrounding is significant. We have said clearly that our position is that overhead lines should generally be the starting presumption, except for in nationally designated landscapes.
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Assessment & feedback
Avoided commitment to undergrounding new transmission by citing costs and general principle against it.
Cost Of Undergrounding
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Pensioners faced hardships during the last winter due to lack of winter fuel allowance.
Will the Minister apologise to pensioners who lost their winter fuel allowance when they needed it most?
I should just remind the House that we did maintain the triple lock, which gave pensioners a boost of over £400 this spring. Pensioners will again benefit from the winter fuel allowance.
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Assessment & feedback
Avoided an apology by citing maintenance of the triple lock and winter fuel allowance.
Maintenance Of Benefits
Response accuracy