Renewable Energy

Answer from John Lamont

The UK Government remain firmly committed to the renewables industry across the United Kingdom, including the leading role that Scotland can play in delivering energy security and jobs. Over the past year, we have worked closely with the Scottish Government through the offshore wind acceleration taskforce to bring forward the deployment of offshore wind projects in the UK.

Answer from John Lamont

By law, transmission network charging is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Transmission charges are set to reflect the costs imposed on the grid by generators and demand in different locations. That means that generators in Scotland pay higher charges than counterparts in England and Wales, reflecting the higher levels of transmission investment they drive. Ofgem recognises the importance of transmission charges to the deployment of Scottish renewable generation and has announced a programme of transmission charging reforms. The Minister recently met with his colleague from West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine to discuss addressing concerns over connection costs.

Answer from John Lamont

This Government recognise the opportunity that hydrogen presents as part of our shift in energy focus, and we will continue to work with the sector to deliver this.

Answer from John Lamont

The answer is certainly not independence. The answer is ensuring we are doing all we can to reduce connection timescales as a priority. As well as accelerating the timelines for building new network infrastructure, that is also about the process for new projects to connect to the grid, such as how the connection queue is managed. To address this, a connections action plan will be published in the summer setting out actions by Government, Ofgem and network companies to accelerate connections for renewable projects.

Answer from John Lamont

The energy profits levy strikes the right balance by funding cost of living support while encouraging investment in order to bolster UK energy security. The levy is helping to hold down people's energy bills across the United Kingdom, including Scotland, by partly funding a generous cost of living package worth £96 billion or £3,300 per household.

Answer from John Lamont

The UK Government's “Powering up Britain” strategy is a blueprint for the future of energy in this country. We will diversify, decarbonise and incentivise new energy production by investing in both renewables and nuclear sector to achieve greater energy independence.

Answer from John Lamont

I simply do not accept the hon. Lady's analysis or conclusions. This Government are committed to infrastructure investment needed for new technology to evolve, and we will continue to work with the sector on this issue.

Answer from John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)

Absolutely not. At the Budget, the Chancellor announced £20 billion of funding to store as much carbon and create as many jobs as possible through track 1 and beyond—unprecedented investment in the development of carbon capture, usage and storage. The Government have also announced around £2 billion in investment for CCUS, hydrogen and industrial decarbonisation technologies. We have already confirmed that the Acorn project in the north-east of Scotland seems to meet the track 2 criteria, and we look forward to working with the project to ensure that we get some good news as soon as possible.