Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Renewable Energy

Wednesday 1 March 2023 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government are committed to supporting renewable energy generation in Wales, including tidal stream technologies at Morlais through the contracts for difference scheme.
  • The Government have provided 21.5 million to the south Wales industrial cluster for decarbonising heavy industry and supporting the transition to net zero.
  • There is an intention for 4 GW of power to be provided through the Celtic Sea by 2035, including floating offshore wind in south-west Wales and south-west England.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Climate Wales
Context

The MP inquired about recent discussions on support for renewable energy generation, focusing specifically on innovative tidal stream technologies at Morlais.

Question

What recent discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues on support for renewable energy in Wales?

Answer from James Davies

The UK Government are committed to supporting renewable energy generation in Wales, including innovative tidal stream technologies at Morlais through our flagship contracts for difference scheme. I will continue to work across Government to ensure we can capitalise on the huge renewable energy opportunities Wales has to offer.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Climate Wales
Context

The MP highlighted the need for a national wealth fund to help industries like Welsh steel transition away from fossil fuels.

Question

What comparable steps will the Government take to help heavy industry decarbonise?

Answer from James Davies

The Government have provided £21.5 million to the south Wales industrial cluster for decarbonising heavy industry and supporting the transition to net zero. Opportunities such as floating offshore wind in that region could be critical too.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Scotland Wales Energy
Context

The MP expressed Labour's ambition to quadruple offshore wind capacity to make the UK a clean energy superpower.

Question

When will the Government match that ambition so sectors such as Welsh offshore wind can achieve their full potential?

Answer from James Davies

There is an intention for 4 GW of power to be provided through the Celtic sea by 2035, and many more gigawatts in the future. This includes floating offshore wind in south-west Wales and south-west England.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Stephen Crabb Con
Wales Energy
Context

The MP mentioned the opportunity with floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea and proposed a Celtic sea freeport for south Wales, also mentioning the potential of gigawatt-scale nuclear power on Ynys Môn.

Question

Would the Minister agree that we have a brilliant opportunity with the deployment of floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea? And would they support giving us the Celtic freeport for south Wales?

Answer from James Davies

£60 million is being invested in the marine project at Pembroke dock through the Swansea Bay city deal, showing potential for his region. However, no specific mention of supporting the Celtic freeport was given.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Supporting the Celtic sea freeport for south Wales

How: Investment In Other Projects

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Oliver Heald Con
Brexit Energy
Context

The MP questioned the Minister about better co-operation between the European Union and the UK over energy, highlighting the Windsor framework.

Question

Does the Minister agree that over recent months we have seen better co-operation between the European Union and the UK over energy?

Answer from James Davies

My right hon. and learned Friend is of course right that co-operation is always a good thing, and interconnectors are critical to our energy security. A company proposing a second interconnector connecting mainland Great Britain with the Republic of Ireland was met recently.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Taxation Energy
Context

The MP raised concerns about the billions of pounds of excess profits untouched by the Government's windfall tax while people struggle with household bills.

Question

How can the Government justify leaving billions of pounds of excess profits untouched?

Answer from James Davies

Up to 70% in tax has been taken from energy producers through the windfall tax, bringing a great deal of money into the Treasury to fund support packages. However, this does not address leaving excess profits untouched directly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Justifying untaxed profits

How: Mentioning Benefits Of Current Measures

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)