Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Community Energy Projects

Tuesday 17 December 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government published the clean power action plan to support community energy projects.
  • Minister discussed flexibility in local energy systems to enable local trading and benefit community groups.
  • Government committed to investing up to 8 GW of energy from community sources by 2030.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Climate Energy
Context

The questioner wants to support community energy projects in his constituency.

Question

What steps he is taking to support community energy projects. Last week, the government published the clean power action plan which included information about how they will meet their mission for clean power and confirmed that community energy will play an important role, particularly through Great British Energy.

Answer from Michael Shanks

Community groups can benefit from not just hosting the community energy but also selling locally. We have had conversations on this topic and met the community energy contact group to look at what regulations there might be, and we are happy to look at any proposals that come forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete actions or timelines for local energy trading support

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Q2 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Climate Energy
Context

The questioner highlights the benefits of renewable energy schemes on community buildings in his constituency, supported by the Low Carbon Hub.

Question

Would the Minister support more flexibility in local energy systems to allow local energy trading and get more support for renewable energy schemes in communities so that more local people can directly benefit?

Answer from Michael Shanks

The hon. Gentleman makes an incredibly important point about how local community groups can benefit from not just hosting the community energy, but from being able to sell locally. We have had a number of conversations on this topic already.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete actions or timelines for supporting local energy trading

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Q3 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Energy
Context

The questioner argues for the stability of the current government's approach to the energy market compared to the previous one.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that with greater stability under this Labour Government, there are opportunities for community energy coming forward as part of the recovery of our whole energy infrastructure?

Answer from Michael Shanks

My hon. Friend is right that stability is key, but so too is this Government's commitment to invest in community energy. We have committed to upwards of 8 GW of energy from community sources over the course of this Parliament up to 2030.

Answered
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Q4 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Climate Energy
Context

The questioner mentions Avalon Community Energy projects in Glastonbury projected to save 1,000 tonnes of carbon per year.

Question

How will the Minister support community energy schemes and ensure that they play a fair and full role in creating clean energy?

Answer from Michael Shanks

We are committed to ensuring not just that we have an energy mix where communities benefit, but also that they benefit from the economic and social advantages of owning the energy they produce.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific support through Great British Energy

How: Unfortunately, Her Party Did Not In The End Support The Creation Of Great British Energy

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Q5 Brian Leishman Lab Alloa and Grangemouth
Employment Climate Energy
Context

The questioner declares his interest as a Unite the union member. The community relies on the Grangemouth refinery for energy.

Question

Will the Secretary of State agree that Unite's plan to save jobs, help hit sustainable aviation fuel targets and build new green industries has great potential?

Answer from Michael Shanks

We have met Unite on a number of occasions over the past few months. It is important that we look at every possible option and protect the workers, which is why we invested in Project Willow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to meeting Unite specifically

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Q6 Pippa Heylings Lib Dem South Cambridgeshire
Energy
Context

The questioner affirms the need to bring public support for green power transformation.

Question

Will the Minister agree to proposals from the Liberal Democrats if they come to this House?

Answer from Michael Shanks

We are absolutely committed to community energy, which was in our manifesto. At every stage of the Bill, we have committed to community energy being right at the heart of what Great British Energy will do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to supporting specific Liberal Democrat proposals

How: Her Party Did Not Support Great British Energy

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