Energy Transition Projects Scotland 2023-05-23
2023-05-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by ongoing discussions about energy transition in Scotland, with a focus on the need for financial support from the UK Government.
What steps he is taking to support energy transition projects in Scotland. The SNP-led Scottish Government have continued to announce more support for energy transition in Scotland, this month pushing on with investment in green hydrogen that will deliver 5 GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030.
We are supporting Scotland's energy transition through the North sea transition deal. Additionally, 52 of the 178 projects awarded contracts for difference for renewable electricity are in Scotland. We are also supporting the clean technologies of the future with over £80 million-worth of funding through our net zero innovation portfolio to 81 locations within Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about putting money on the table was not directly addressed; instead, general support was mentioned without new financial commitments.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is ongoing debate about the need for additional funding from the UK Government to support Scotland's energy transition, particularly in comparison to the substantial investment made by the SNP-led government.
The SNP-led Scottish Government have continued to announce more support for energy transition in Scotland, this month pushing on with investment in green hydrogen that will deliver 5 GW of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030. The Minister says that the UK Government are supporting that, but they are certainly not putting any money on the table up front as the Scottish Government have through their £500 million energy transition fund for the north-east of Scotland.
I thank the hon. Member for his predictable question. He was obviously not listening to the answer I gave to his first question: 52 of the 178 projects awarded contracts for difference are in Scotland, and we are also supporting green technologies to the value of £80 million.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about putting money on the table was completely avoided.
Accusation Of Not Listening
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
There is a need to connect new offshore renewables to the grid, and there are specific concerns in the east of England about ensuring this infrastructure is adequately addressed.
Energy transition projects affect the entire United Kingdom. I thank the Minister for his engagement with MPs across the east of England on the impact of 100 miles of pylons to connect new offshore renewables to the grid. Will he give my constituents an assurance that the Government are doing everything possible to look at an offshore grid for the east of England?
I thank my right hon. Friend for her question. It was a great pleasure to be in East Anglia last week and to engage with community organisations and MPs from that part of the world. I confirm that all options are on the table as we look at what infrastructure we can and need to build to move us forward into our net zero future.
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Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern about the lack of dedicated funds for carbon capture and storage projects in Scotland, despite overall UK Government commitments.
It is nearly 10 years since a £1 billion carrot was dangled for Peterhead carbon capture and storage, which was then withdrawn post-referendum. We are now getting told that the UK Government have £20 billion to spend on carbon capture and storage, but the reality is that not one penny of that is ringfenced for Scotland.
I thank the hon. Member for that question, but frankly I am fed up with the SNP talking Scotland down, and indeed talking the Acorn project down.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about track 2 status was not addressed; instead, criticism of the SNP was made.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern about the financial impact of Brexit on energy bills, including additional costs that could have been used for grid upgrades and other projects.
It would be good if the Minister gave us certainty instead of just blustering. Energy UK has confirmed that the Brexit trading arrangements are adding more than £1 billion a year to our energy bills and, last year, nearly £5 billion was paid in constraint payments.
When it comes to bluster, SNP Members are certainly subject matter experts. On support for Scottish billpayers, as I said, over the past winter this Government were paying half of everybody's energy bills in this United Kingdom.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about job impacts was not addressed; instead, criticism was directed towards SNP members.
Response accuracy