Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Clean Energy: Wales

Wednesday 11 June 2025 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has launched a research innovation project to model the impacts and value of tidal range energy in Wales.
  • Wales is expected to support innovative renewable technologies such as tidal stream and floating offshore wind, potentially delivering up to 5,000 new jobs.
  • The cost of undergrounding new electric transmission lines is significant, leading the Government to generally presume overhead lines except in nationally designated landscapes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Climate Wales Energy
Context

Wales has a significant tidal range potential which promises green growth and industrial employment. The Severn Estuary Commission has completed its recommendations on tidal lagoons.

Question

What steps is the Secretary of State taking with other Cabinet colleagues to ensure that tidal plays a prominent role in the transition to clean energy?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

The Government remain open to well-developed proposals for harnessing tidal range energy. The National Energy System Operator has launched a research innovation project to model the impacts and value of tidal range, with a report expected tomorrow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific steps or timeline for implementing tidal projects beyond ongoing research.

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Q2 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Climate Wales Energy
Context

Wales has significant potential for green jobs and renewable technologies.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to roll out this important work in Wales?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

Wales has a huge role to play in our clean energy mission, supporting innovative renewable technologies such as tidal stream on Anglesey and floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea which could deliver up to 5,000 new jobs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps or timeline for roll-out beyond mentioning existing projects.

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Q3 Ann Davies PC Caerfyrddin
Wales Energy
Context

Green energy requires efficient transmission, but undergrounding can be costly.

Question

Will the Minister commit to undergrounding any new electric transmission in Wales?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

I commend the hon. Member for her campaigning on this issue, but as she understands, the cost of undergrounding is significant. We have said clearly that our position is that overhead lines should generally be the starting presumption, except for in nationally designated landscapes.

Not addressed: Avoided commitment to undergrounding new transmission by citing costs and general principle against it.

How: Cost Of Undergrounding

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Q4 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Pensioners faced hardships during the last winter due to lack of winter fuel allowance.

Question

Will the Minister apologise to pensioners who lost their winter fuel allowance when they needed it most?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

I should just remind the House that we did maintain the triple lock, which gave pensioners a boost of over £400 this spring. Pensioners will again benefit from the winter fuel allowance.

Not addressed: Avoided an apology by citing maintenance of the triple lock and winter fuel allowance.

How: Maintenance Of Benefits

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