Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Clean Energy: Private Sector Investment

Tuesday 24 March 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The allocation round for clean energy attracted 90 billion of private sector investment.
  • The Clean Industry Bonus is expected to support an increase of 20,000 jobs in the north-east.
  • The Government has acknowledged concerns about hydrogen projects in the Humber area and plans to release the hydrogen strategy soon.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Climate Energy Business & Trade
Context

Private sector representatives have been discussing investments in the UK's clean energy sectors, particularly offshore wind.

Question

What discussions has he had with private sector representatives to secure investment in clean energy industries? The allocation round 7 was a success and attracted £90 billion of private sector investment in collaboration with sector councils. However, competing against lower-cost regions remains a concern for fabricators. Will the Minister ensure that the Clean Industry Bonus is robust enough so that developers buy from British yards?

Answer from Chris McDonald

The allocation round was incredibly successful, attracting £90 billion of private sector investment. The Clean Industry Bonus will support jobs in the north-east where we forecast an increase of 20,000 jobs and ensure that supply chain jobs remain in the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The robustness and creativity of the CIB to compete with lower-cost regions was not directly addressed.

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Q2 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The Clean Industry Bonus was set out as an innovative principle in a roundtable hosted by the questioner. Developers need assurance that this scheme will be robust to compete with lower-cost regions.

Question

At a roundtable I hosted last year, the Secretary of State set out the principles behind the clean industry bonus. However, competing against lower-cost regions remains a concern for fabricators in the future. Will the Minister ensure that the CIB is as robust and creative as possible so that developers buy from British yards?

Answer from Chris McDonald

The allocation round was incredibly successful, attracting £90 billion of private sector investment. In the north-east, we are forecasting an increase of 20,000 jobs and want those supply chain jobs here in the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The robustness and creativity of the CIB to compete with lower-cost regions was not directly addressed.

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Q3 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Energy
Context

Major hydrogen projects in the Humber area, including those by National Grid, are ready to go. Investors need certainty from Government before committing.

Question

The Minister is aware that major hydrogen projects in the Humber area led by National Grid are ready to go and are vital for the region with £18 billion of value-add and 360,000 jobs at stake. Without certainty from Government, investors cannot commit. When will the allocation rounds for hydrogen transport and storage business models open so that this investment can move forward?

Answer from Chris McDonald

The right hon. Member's concerns have been addressed, having spoken to the hydrogen industry myself. The representation he has made to me and to the Energy Minister will be considered. I can assure him that the hydrogen strategy will be out soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A specific timeline for opening allocation rounds was not provided.

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