Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Renewable Energy: Cornwall

22 October 2024 · 5 other contributors · 4,487 words

Opened by Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth

Responding minister: Kerry McCarthy

ClimateEnergy

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jayne Kirkham raised concerns about renewable energy: cornwall in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the state of renewable energy development in Cornwall since 2015, noting funding cuts for urban projects and grid network constraints.
  • Specific asks of government include investment, ambition, and a long-term strategy for renewable energy, with emphasis on upgrading infrastructure and fostering education programs.
  • Minister acknowledges the passion for Cornwall's potential and the need for investment, mentioning a mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.

Key requests to Government

I urge the Government to provide more investment, ambition, and long-term strategy for renewable energy development in Cornwall. This includes streamlining planning processes, upgrading transmission and distribution networks, implementing a coherent national plan for ports, and fostering education and training programs to address skills gaps.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth

I am concerned about the current state of renewable energy development in Cornwall. Only one onshore wind turbine planning application has been successful since January 2015, despite the sector's potential. The lack of funding for urban community energy projects after 2022 is also a significant issue. Moreover, there are major challenges in scaling up floating offshore wind and addressing skills shortages. The grid network constraints and delays in accessing grid connections further hinder growth.

Other contributors (5)
  • Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives

    The hon. Member endorsed the case made by the Chair and highlighted previous government actions such as scrapping sustainable homes regulations which have set us back years in our transition to renewable energy.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The hon. Member thanked the Chair for bringing forward this debate and emphasised that achieving net zero is a goal for every part of the UK, not just Cornwall.

  • Noah Law Lab St Austell and Newquay

    The hon. Member pointed out that Cornwall's economy relies heavily on small and medium-sized enterprises, and emphasised the need for industrial strategy to cater specifically to these businesses in building a renewable energy supply chain.

  • Perran Moon Lab Co-op Camborne and Redruth

    The hon. Member agreed that Cornwall is at the right moment for action, noting interest from international bodies like the US State Department and representatives from France in Cornish renewable energy opportunities. The hon. Gentleman is correct that Cornwall needs catching up with other parts of the country, but he is also aware that other regions face similar challenges. Asked the Minister if there was anywhere else in the UK with a similar concentration of critical minerals and renewable energy opportunities as Cornwall. Suggested that Cornwall would be an ideal location to become an official cluster for renewables and critical minerals.

  • Tom Hayes Lab Bournemouth East

    The hon. Member praised the Chair's speech and highlighted that embracing British-based nuclear power alongside Cornwall's renewables is crucial for economic security, mentioning Kensa as an example of innovative technology in heat pumps.

Government Response

Kerry McCarthy

It is a pleasure to see Valerie Vaz in the Chair. I thank Jayne Kirkham for securing this debate and acknowledge the contributions of other Members. The passion for Cornwall's potential is evident, with all six MPs being strong advocates. A letter from Labour MPs in Cornwall highlights the need for investment, which will be discussed soon with the Minister for Industry. One of the Prime Minister's missions is to make Britain a clean energy superpower by delivering clean power by 2030 and accelerating towards net zero. Within the first 100 days, we lifted the onshore wind ban in England, consented to more solar projects than had been done in 14 years, and delivered the most successful renewables auction. We are setting up Great British Energy to drive clean energy deployment. Cornwall's role in this is vital due to its industrial heritage and potential for wind, geothermal, lithium and other minerals. Critical mineral deposits, such as lithium, can meet more than half of UK demand by 2030. The UK Infrastructure Bank invested £24 million in Cornish Lithium to support the critical minerals supply chain. Floating offshore wind is an exciting area with potential for 97,000 jobs and a £47 billion contribution to the economy. Leasing round 5 includes a £10 million supply chain accelerator fund focused on capturing economic opportunities in the Celtic sea. The UK Infrastructure Bank is becoming a national wealth fund capitalised with £27.8 billion, focusing on priority sectors including ports infrastructure. A Green Paper was published outlining our vision for a modern industrial strategy called Invest 2035, aiming to create a pro-business environment and support high-potential clusters. We are looking at reindustrialisation in Cornwall, where planning blockages need to be addressed along with grid infrastructure improvements. Skills are crucial, and ongoing engagement is needed. Collaboration across Departments will unlock Cornwall's potential for clean energy.

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