Written questions by Chadwick.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that energy supplier read electricity meter readings are accurately recorded on customer energy accounts.

It is the role of the independent regulator Ofgem to ensure compliance with Standard Licence Conditions, including condition 21B. I meet regularly with Ofgem to discuss consumer protection issues. To ensure Ofgem’s continuing effectiveness, in December the Government launched its first comprehensive review of the regulator. The review is considering whether Ofgem has effective compliance and enforcement tools, so consumers can be confident that any failures will be investigated and rectified quickly.

How energy supplies are complying with condition 21B of the Electricity Supply Standard Licence Conditions.

It is the role of the independent regulator Ofgem to ensure compliance with Standard Licence Conditions, including condition 21B. I meet regularly with Ofgem to discuss consumer protection issues. To ensure Ofgem’s continuing effectiveness, in December the Government launched its first comprehensive review of the regulator. The review is considering whether Ofgem has effective compliance and enforcement tools, so consumers can be confident that any failures will be investigated and rectified quickly.

When he plans to implement the Fuel Finder open data scheme.

The Government aims to implement Fuel Finder by the end of 2025, subject to legislation and parliamentary time. The Data (Use and Access) Bill will provide the legislative basis to set up Fuel Finder to increase price transparency for UK drivers.

Whether his Department is taking steps with (a) industry and (b) investors to help de-risk investment in green hydrogen (i) infrastructure and (ii) projects.

Hydrogen transport and storage (T&S) infrastructure will be critical to the development of the hydrogen economy and to meeting government’s net zero and climate budget goals.To facilitate the development of this critical infrastructure, we are committed to designing new business models for hydrogen transport and storage by the end of 2025. The Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) incentivises investment in new low carbon hydrogen production and encourages users to switch to low carbon hydrogen by making it a price competitive decarbonisation option. HPBM support is being allocated through the Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HARs) and the Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) Cluster Sequencing programme.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on increasing the production of green hydrogen for use in the (a) energy, (b) industry, (c) transport and (d) innovation sectors.

Our strategic approach to hydrogen production and use is grounded in robust, cross-government analysis to ensure hydrogen fulfils its role in the UK’s Clean Energy Superpower and Growth Missions. We continue to work closely across departments to align efforts and reflect the latest evidence. Including through the development of a refreshed Hydrogen Strategy, set to be published later this year.

What steps he is taking to increase the production of green hydrogen to support the transition to net zero.

The Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) incentivises investment in new low carbon hydrogen production and encourages users to switch to low carbon hydrogen by making it a price competitive decarbonisation option. In the Autumn Budget, we confirmed support for 11 green hydrogen projects from the first Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1), which comprised £90 million in capital grant support through the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and c. £2.3bn revenue support through the HBPM once projects are operational and over a 15 year period. Following this, on 7 April 2025 the Government announced a shortlist of 27 projects across England, Scotland and Wales that have been invited to the next stage of the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2).

What steps his Department is taking to help enable the scale-up of large-scale green hydrogen projects to commercial operation.

The Hydrogen Production Business Model (HPBM) incentivises investment in new low carbon hydrogen production and encourages users to switch to low carbon hydrogen by making it a price competitive decarbonisation option. In the Autumn Budget, we confirmed support for 11 green hydrogen projects from the first Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1), which comprised £90 million in capital grant support through the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund and c. £2.3bn revenue support through the HBPM once projects are operational and over a 15 year period. Following this, on 7 April 2025 the Government announced a shortlist of 27 projects across England, Scotland and Wales that have been invited to the next stage of the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2).

What steps his Department is taking through (a) regulatory reform and (b) market incentives to encourage the growth of green hydrogen production capacity.

We continue to work closely with industry, regulatory bodies and devolved administrations to ensure that appropriate regulatory frameworks are in place for low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure, including through the Hydrogen Delivery Council’s Regulators Forum and the Transport and Storage Working Group. We are taking a proactive approach to identify and address existing and emerging regulatory challenges for the hydrogen economy.For example, we will consult this summer on a proposed economic regulatory framework for 100% hydrogen pipelines. The Hydrogen Production Business Model incentivises investment in new low carbon hydrogen production and encourages users to switch to low carbon hydrogen by making it a price competitive decarbonisation option.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of vulnerable people receiving an (a) inadequate service and (b) inappropriate installation under the ECO4 scheme; and what steps his Department is taking to support vulnerable people to help resolve complaints against participating companies.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme includes consumer protections for vulnerable households, requiring industry standards and warranties for installed measures. Energy efficiency and low carbon installations under ECO4 must be undertaken by TrustMark registered businesses and TrustMark have a route to redress for any issues arising from poor quality installs. Installations of low carbon measures must comply with Microgeneration Certification Scheme standards. The government recognises that the system of quality assurance and consumer redress that we inherited needs reform and we will set out plans for root and branch reform as part of the Warm Homes Plan.

What steps he is taking to support (a) scientific innovation and (b) R&D across the hydrogen value chain to (i) drive down costs and (ii) improve efficiency.

Since 2021, the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio has awarded around £170m to hydrogen innovation projects to advance low-carbon technologies across the hydrogen value chain. Hydrogen-specific programmes include: the Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 programme, the Industrial Hydrogen Accelerator, and the Hydrogen from Biomass with Carbon Capture and Storage programme. Demonstrators have been built and tested with the aim of reducing the costs of hydrogen production, or providing evidence towards the cost effectiveness of hydrogen for fuel switching. The Department commissioned the British Geological Survey to conduct a research study on the geological potential for natural hydrogen in the UK.

What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on placing cables underground for national energy infrastructure associated with energy parks in areas (a) of high outstanding natural beauty and (b) designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. The Government’s policy on undergrounding is set out in the energy National Policy Statement for electricity networks (EN-5), which sets a strong starting presumption of overhead lines, except in nationally designated landscapes - such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest - where undergrounding is the starting presumption.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of placing cables for national energy infrastructure associated with energy parks underground.

The Government’s overarching position on undergrounding is set out in the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (NPS EN-5). It states that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption except in nationally designated landscapes where undergrounding is the starting presumption. Developers are responsible for designing electricity network infrastructure, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, planning policy and regulatory requirements, and assessing the merits of undergrounding cables on a project-by-project basis. The Government does not make assessments for specific projects unless they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy parks on communities.

Energy National Policy Statements state that impacts of Nationally Significant (energy) Infrastructure Projects on local communities should be kept to a minimum, and at a level that is acceptable. Developers are required to undertake an assessment of likely significant environmental impacts and to describe how the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, reduce, mitigate, compensate) has been applied to address possible impacts, including cumulative, on the wider environment. In addition, through the Clean Power Action Plan, we have made clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure they benefit from it. On 21st May we published our working paper setting out proposals for mandatory community benefits for low carbon infrastructure and seeking views on shared ownership.

If he will publish a timeline for the release of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme investment reserve.

The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) has some differences to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, but we will be working with the BCSSS Trustees to consider their proposals. Any outcome will need to be agreed with the Trustees and the Treasury following analysis of the potential impacts.

When the Minister for Industry last met trustees of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

On what dates his Department has met with trustees of the (a) British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme and (b) Mineworkers' Pension Scheme since 4 July 2024.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

What steps he is taking to ensure that National Grid is taking improved action to regularly maintain infrastructure networks.

The maintenance of our electricity network is critical to deliver clean, secure power to homes and businesses across the country. Electricity network operators are private companies which build, own, operate, and maintain electricity network infrastructure. As regional monopolies, they are regulated by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem. Transmission owners and Distribution Network Operators are required by Ofgem’s license conditions to ensure the maintenance of an efficient, economic, and coordinated system of electricity transmission and distribution respectively.

What progress National Grid Electricity Transmission have made on (a) proposals to connect the transmission grid in north Wales to the south and (b) agreements with generators on connection contracts.

As a private transmission owner National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) develops project proposals in England and Wales where a transmission need is identified by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). In all proposals evidence demonstrating due consideration of alternative options is required. In this case proposals remain in early development. NESO submitted proposals to Ofgem to reorder the connection queue, which would impact on generator connection agreements. Ofgem is expected to announce its decision in March.

How many properties are not connected to the national (a) gas and (b) electricity grid in Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe constituency.

The Department publishes estimates of the number of domestic properties not connected to the gas network in Great Britain by constituency. In 2023, an estimated 19,000 domestic properties (41%) in Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe constituency were not connected to the gas network. Equivalent figures for the electricity network are not published.

Whether ETSU-R-97 is (a) the only framework methodology used for the assessment of onshore wind turbines and (b) the most (i) effective and (ii) up to date guidance; what assessment he has ma

ETSU-R-97 is the primary guidance used for the assessment of noise from onshore wind turbines across the UK. Government has contracted an external consultancy to update ETSU-R-97 following a 2023 scoping review which recommended targeted updates to ensure...