Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Renewable Energy Support

Wednesday 24 May 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alan Brown asked about discussions with the Welsh Government on supporting renewable energy in Wales, highlighting specific technologies and funding.
  • Alan Brown inquired if Westminster would consider devolving the Crown Estate in Wales to better leverage natural resources for renewable energy supply chain development.
  • Virginia Crosbie questioned the Secretary of State about the need for a third crossing to improve connectivity for Anglesey's renewable energy sector, which faces infrastructure challenges.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Climate Wales
Context

The question is prompted by the need for increased support for renewable energy projects in Wales, particularly focusing on tidal stream technologies and floating offshore wind industries.

Question

What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on support for renewable energy in Wales. He highlighted the innovative tidal stream technologies at Morlais and the potential of floating offshore wind industry through the £160 million manufacturing investment scheme funding.

Answer from David Davies

The UK Government are committed to supporting renewable energy generation in Wales—including the innovative tidal stream technologies at Morlais, through our flagship contracts for difference scheme—and supporting the huge potential of our floating offshore wind industry through the £160 million in floating offshore wind manufacturing investment scheme funding for port infrastructure.

Answered
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Q2 Alan Brown SNP
NHS Economy Scotland Wales
Context

The devolution of the Crown Estate in Scotland has allowed for a more coherent supply chain development for renewable energy. In Wales, 75% of the public want similar benefits from natural resources.

Question

The devolution of the Crown Estate in Scotland has enabled better coherence in renewable energy supply chain development and 75% of Welsh people support such devolution to benefit from their natural resources. Will Westminster listen to this demand, or is it another case of 'Westminster knows best'?

Answer from David Davies

Devolving the Crown Estate would be very risky for Wales, given that at present the revenue spent by the UK Treasury is invested across the whole United Kingdom, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this UK Government will be committed to seeing renewable energy spread across the UK, alongside our other priorities of halving inflation, cutting debt, ending small boat crossings and reducing NHS waiting lists in the areas where we are responsible for doing so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The riskiness of devolving the Crown Estate was acknowledged but without addressing public demand directly.

How: Riskiness, Other Priorities

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Q3 Virginia Crosbie
Transport Energy Environment
Context

Anglesey leads the way in renewable energy but was recently disrupted by sudden bridge closures, highlighting poor infrastructure. The Menai suspension bridge has a 7.5-tonne weight limit causing significant traffic issues.

Question

Anglesey is leading in renewable energy, yet it suffers from inadequate connectivity; this week's Britannia Bridge closure and the 7.5-tonne weight limit on the Menai Suspension Bridge created chaos. Does the Secretary of State agree that building a third crossing would help?

Answer from David Davies

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about this. The Welsh Labour Government need to start building roads and start building bridges as well.

How: Blame On Other Party

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