Every parliamentary written question tabled by Melanie Onn this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–11 of 11 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
What steps he is taking to help support households seeking to switch from heating oil to a mains gas connection, including financial support.
Households wanting a new gas grid connection should contact their local gas network operator. Support is available for eligible low-income households through Ofgem’s Fuel Poor Network Extension Scheme, which provides discounted connections delivered by ga...
What progress he has made on the development of the two new transportation and capture projects under Track 2.
At the 2025 Spending Review the government announced its support for the Acorn and Viking clusters and is providing the development funding to advance their delivery. This funding will support the clusters in developing detailed designs and preparations, ...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the installation of solar panels on the level of Energy Performance Certificate ratings for domestic properties.
Alongside lower electricity bills, there are many potential benefits for householders that invest in rooftop solar. These include improved property valuation and EPC scores, although the overall score for an individual property is based on several different variables. Government has also consulted on introducing four complementary headline metrics for domestic EPCs: "Fabric Performance," "Heating System," "Smart Readiness," and "Energy Cost." The consultation proposed that the Smart Readiness metric would include information on a households’ ability to generate on-site renewable energy, including solar PV, and give specific recommendations for improvements to scores against the metric. Government will respond to this consultation in due course.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Humber's Viking carbon capture project on levels of investment in the area.
A strong UK CCUS sector will support well paid, highly-skilled jobs across the UK, with DESNZ analysis showing CCUS has the potential to generate £4-5 billion GVA per year and support up to 50,000 jobs in the 2030s across the CCUS industry as the sector matures. We recognise the potential of the Track-2 clusters, including Viking, to build on this momentum, and officials have continued to engage with Viking CCS to understand their plans and continue to review the potential impact of the project on local investments.
Whether any funding his Department has provided for Greater Lincolnshire devolution is ringfenced for net zero initiatives.
The Government recognises the important role of local places, including Greater Lincolnshire, in driving action to help realise our national net zero targets. The English Devolution Whitepaper sets out the Departments approach to English Devolution.
What guidance he has issued to local authorities on reporting requirements for net zero targets.
The Government recognises the important role of local places in driving action to support net zero targets. Whilst we do not require Local Government to report on their net zero work, we run a Local Net Zero Delivery Group to discuss key net zero policy and delivery issues - this helps to inform our understanding of net zero action and share best practice at the local level.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of GB Energy supporting grid connection.
Great British Energy (GBE) will drive clean energy deployment. Across its different functions, GBE will offer a range of support to turbocharge the growth of energy projects, including through project development. The electricity grid is a key enabler for...
If he will take steps to provide support to (a) Tronox in Stallingborough and (b) other titanium dioxide pigment manufacturers on decarbonising their production processes.
The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) is a £500m grant fund programme which supports industrial sites with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future. The Government has encouraged applications to the IETF from the chemicals sector an...
What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of district heating schemes on levels of energy poverty.
As the sector has never been regulated, the Department has not collected pricing data for consumers on communal or district heat networks. However, we are bringing in regulation to appoint Ofgem as the heat network regulator and giving them powers to monitor the market and intervene on high heat prices. The Department is also exploring options to protect vulnerable consumers in the upcoming heat network consumer protection consultation. As heat networks can efficiently use waste sources of heat, they are well placed to cut bills, as well as to reduce emissions, and our reliance on imported fossil fuels. In urban areas, heat networks are often the lowest cost low carbon heating option for consumers.
Whether he plans to provide (a) financial and (b) other support to regional energy cluster organisations.
National government provides support to local areas to decarbonise. This includes funding five regional Local Net Zero Hubs which support local authorities to develop net zero projects and attract commercial investment. In addition, the Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans competition, run by government in partnership with Innovate UK, is providing up to £6 million in grant funding to 13 projects, supporting dispersed industrial manufacturers not located in the UK’s existing industrial clusters to decarbonise and reduce their emissions.
What plans he has for the future of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC) is an independent research centre that advances technology innovation for offshore renewable energy. OREC’s capabilities are vital to achieving the government's clean power mission. As part of the Department's Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, OREC’s expertise from its Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence has led to the development of 36 projects focused on technology development and innovation in the offshore wind sector, laying the foundation for increased deployment of floating offshore wind in the UK. The Department is considering how best to integrate OREC’s capabilities into forthcoming innovation programmes.