Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy-intensive Industries: Decarbonisation

Wednesday 24 May 2023 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed 20 billion over two decades for carbon capture technology deployment.
  • Government has measures in place such as the carbon capture, utilisation and storage infrastructure fund and the industrial fuel switching fund.
  • Non-pipeline transport of captured carbon to fields elsewhere will secure decarbonisation for south Wales.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Climate Wales
Context

The question pertains to the steps being taken by the government to support decarbonisation efforts within Wales's industrial sector.

Question

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries in Wales?

Answer from James Davies

This Government are committed to supporting the decarbonisation of Welsh industry. We have committed £20 billion over the next two decades to the deployment of innovative carbon capture technology. This builds on existing support for the HyNet cluster in north Wales and north-west England and the £21.5 million to develop the South Wales industrial cluster.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify what steps are being taken with Cabinet colleagues specifically.

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Q2 Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South
Economy Climate Scotland
Context

The question focuses on the transition of industries from fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for a national wealth fund and the Labour Party's commitment to help such industries.

Question

That is why Labour is calling for a national wealth fund, so that we can help industries such as steel to win the race for the future. Will the Minister tell the House specifically what steps he is taking to help heavy industry decarbonise?

Answer from James Davies

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that question. He will of course be aware of the array of measures that are in place to help decarbonisation—the carbon capture, utilisation and storage infrastructure fund, the industrial fuel switching fund, the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre, the competitive industrial energy transformation fund and the industrial strategy challenge fund among others.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify concrete steps being taken by the government to help heavy industries decarbonize.

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Q3 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Economy Climate Wales
Context

The question highlights the decline of the UK's steel industry compared to other G7 countries and calls for a £3 billion green steel fund.

Question

The UK is the only country in the G7 whose steel industry is currently in decline. Why will the Government not end their sticking-plaster approach, match Labour's commitment to a £3 billion green steel fund, and invest in a long-term plan to decarbonise the vital steel sector in Wales?

Answer from James Davies

Let me I repeat what I said earlier. The Secretary of State visited the plant in Port Talbot recently, and is committed to it. We need to see an electric arc furnace, because that is the way to protect jobs and ensure that we have steel production in the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address why the government does not adopt Labour's proposed green steel fund.

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Q4 Stephen Crabb Con
Climate Wales Energy
Context

The question addresses the importance of the industrial corridor in south Wales and seeks confirmation on government policies supporting decarbonisation efforts.

Question

The industrial corridor that runs west along south Wales all the way to my constituency is one of the most important in the UK. It is also one of the most challenging when it comes to decarbonisation. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government's policies, the “Powering Up Britain” set of energy interventions and the Celtic freeport that we have secured point the way to a successful decarbonisation strategy for this critically important part of Wales?

Answer from James Davies

My right hon. Friend is, of course, entirely right. South Wales does not have former oil and gas fields in which we can store carbon, but it does have the Celtic freeport, and non-pipeline transport of captured carbon to fields elsewhere will secure decarbonisation for south Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly confirm or deny whether government policies are effective in supporting decarbonisation efforts.

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