Written questions by Young.

If he will make an assessment of recent trends in the level of smart meter failures (a) during installation and (b) in the weeks after installation.

While the Department collects data on the number of smart meters not operating in smart mode, this does not differentiate between when meters are impacted. The latest Government statistics on smart meter installations to end December 2024 were published on 20th March and are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics. These include information about the number of smart meters operating in smart mode. At the end of 2024 over 90% of smart meters were operating as intended and sending automatic readings to suppliers.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of taking legislative steps to establish community energy clubs.

The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change, and has tabled an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill, which clarifies that Great British Energy may support renewable energy projects involving or benefitting local communities. The Government has also announced the Great British Energy Community Fund, to provide funding and support to community energy stakeholders, helping to increase the roll out of renewable energy projects.

What the cost to the public purse was of spending to support the installation of smart meters in financial years (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25.

The investment needed for smart metering including installation of smart meters is funded by energy suppliers. Government expenditure on the Smart Metering Implementation Programme in DESNZ in 2022-23 was £9.7m, in 2023-4 it was £9.8m and forecast expenditure in 2024-25 is £10.5m.

What data his Department holds on the number of smart meter failures broken down by (a) installing company, (b) type of smart meter and (c) local authority.

Statistics are available on the number of smart meters not operating in smart mode, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics. A breakdown of this figure by energy supplier is published by Ofgem (https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-policy-and-regulation/policy-and-regulatory-programmes/smart-meter-transition-and-data-communications-company-dcc/smart-meter-performance). The Department does not collect data on smart meters not operating in smart mode by local authority. A smart meter not operating in smart mode will continue to record energy usage accurately, with an energy company meter reader or the customer needing to take manual meter readings.

What steps his Department plans to take to help community energy projects secure appropriate minimum prices for the power generated.

The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a market-led mechanism that was designed to ensure that there is a guaranteed route to market for any small-scale low-carbon generator, such as a community energy project, that compensates for the value of their exported electricity. The Department is also working alongside Ofgem and other key stakeholders to explore options for addressing the regulatory barriers to local energy supply, including route to market.

What steps he is taking to support community energy projects.

Through Great British Energy we will turbocharge community energy. Our Local Power Plan will mean communities taking back control of their energy, bringing cheap clean power and energy security. I look forward to further details being announced as the GBE Bill goes through its final stages.

Whether he is taking steps to use maritime spatial planning to identify areas with high potential for the development of offshore wind energy.

In October 2024, the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments jointly commissioned the NESO to produce a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for Great Britain. This more strategic approach to planning will help accelerate the government’s clean energy superpow...

What steps he is taking to support job creation in the renewable energy sector.

Our recently announced Clean Industry Bonus will help to drive investment in our heartland and coastal communities, and in cleaner supply chains – creating economic opportunities in the supply chains of the future. We have also set up the Office for Clean...

Whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on giving GB Energy a nature recovery duty.

Great British Energy will be operationally independent and will deliver in line with a statement of strategic priorities. Its projects will be subject to all relevant environmental legislation, which the Secretary of State regularly engages cabinet collea...

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reallocating subsidies for burning bioenergy towards lower carbon renewables.

The Government has set an ambitious target of clean power by 2030 as part of its mission to become a clean energy superpower. We have received advice from the NESO on how to achieve this target. We will review this advice and outline our approach to clean...

Whether he has plans to embed nature as a core priority in (a) the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and (b) other energy planning frameworks.

The Government is fully committed to protecting nature. That’s why as part of the SSEP we are requiring NESO to give due consideration to environmental impacts and statutory environmental duties throughout all stages of its production. The SSEP will also ...