Energy Sector Trade Opportunities 2022-11-03
2022-11-03
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about increasing trade opportunities for the UK's energy sector, particularly in low-carbon sectors.
What steps her Department is taking to increase trade opportunities for the UK energy sector?
The Government's export strategy sets out how we aim to capture up to £170 billion of export sales estimated for 2030 in low-carbon sectors. At the green trade and investment expo earlier this week, we showcased the best renewable energy technologies and innovations that the UK has to offer. Over the last year, the Department for International Trade has supported £5 billion-worth of exports across energy and infrastructure sectors.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the unique skills and expertise of businesses along the East Anglian coast related to offshore wind, emphasizing local partnerships like the one between New Anglia LEP and Virginia Beach.
With 50% of the UK's offshore wind fleet anchored off the East Anglian coast, local businesses have acquired a unique set of skills, knowledge and expertise that should be promoted abroad. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that a national framework is in place to ensure we make the most of these opportunities?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that issue and highlighting the good work that DIT is doing. He will be pleased to know that in 2020—the latest figures available—the UK exported £821 million-worth of offshore wind products, with the help of DIT overseas and sector teams. We have a plan in place to carry out promotions, and work is ongoing to continue to build the UK's extensive export offer and maximise economic value.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP met with a foreign minister from the Maldives, highlighting its reliance on UK support for renewable energy development.
What support can we give small island states such as the Maldives?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. We have a developing countries trading scheme, which we use to assist small countries that are not able to take some of the opportunities that larger, more developed economies can take. I know that Foreign Office Ministers have been having conversations with Ministers from the Maldives, and I am pleased to see that the engagement is extensive.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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The MP asks about the support available for small manufacturers in regions like Rossendale and Darwen to boost their international trade.
What support is available for small manufacturers in places such as Rossendale and Darwen?
I thank my right hon. Friend for his question. That is one of the things we are promoting during International Trade Week. We have a 12-point export plan, to do precisely what he described. Just this week, I have met export champions across the UK, who have been showing the ways that we can expand our export networks into other countries.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises the issue of evaluating nuclear energy options in regions like Northern Ireland to increase self-sufficiency and trade.
Has she had the opportunity yet to evaluate nuclear energy options for regions such as Northern Ireland?
The short answer to that is no, primarily because that would be a competency of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, but I would very much like to hear more about the trade opportunities that the hon. Gentleman has identified, which DIT can support in conversations with BEIS.
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Assessment & feedback
The evaluation of nuclear energy options is a competency of another department (BEIS)
Competency Lies Elsewhere
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expresses concern about potential legal challenges to fossil fuel projects approved by the government under the revised ECT, which protects such projects from being stopped.
How would the Government prevent that from happening in the UK under a revised energy charter treaty?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. She should know that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change believes that those projects are consistent with our transition to net zero. She will know that gas is a transition fuel, so it is not possible for us to get to net zero by cutting off gas completely.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific steps mentioned to prevent legal challenges under the ECT
Projects Are Consistent With Strategy
Competency Lies Elsewhere
Response accuracy