Campaign reply - Energy plans

Thank you for contacting me about the UK’s energy strategy.

In light of high global energy prices, provoked by surging demand and Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine, the Government has been clear that it’s right we move away from dependence on Russian gas and increase our self-reliance for energy security.

I welcome that the Government’s Energy Security Strategy sets out plans to accelerate the deployment of wind, new nuclear, solar and hydrogen, while supporting the production of domestic oil and gas in the nearer term – which could see 95 per cent of electricity being low carbon by 2030.

To this end, the Energy Security Bill was announced as part of the Queen's Speech 2022, which includes concrete measures to deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy. In particular, I am glad that the Bill will enable the extension of the price cap beyond 2023, which would see the Government protect 22 million households who are on default tariffs.

The Government has already announced that the import of Russian oil and oil products will be phased out by the end of this year, which makes up roughly eight per cent of UK demand. Further, while the proportion of gas we import from Russia is less than four per cent, I know that the Government is keen to end this altogether. Recognising the importance of these fuels to our energy transition and energy security, and that producing gas domestically has a lower carbon footprint than importing, a licensing round for new North Sea oil and gas projects is planned to launch in autumn. 

I also warmly welcome the new ambition to produce up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 – more than enough to power every home in the UK – of which up to 5GW will come from floating offshore wind sites in deeper seas. This will be underpinned by new planning reforms to speed up approvals for new offshore wind farms, in addition to introducing competition into the country's onshore electricity networks, as detailed in the Energy Security Bill. I know the Government is also looking to increase the UK’s current solar capacity, which could grow up to 5 times by 2035, and aims to double our ambition for low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.

 

The strategy will also see the acceleration of nuclear power, aiming to produce up to 24GW by 2050, which could mean delivering up to eight reactors, equivalent to one reactor a year instead of one a decade. My ministerial colleagues assure me that nuclear presents a safe, clean, and reliable source of power and I am encouraged that a new government body, Great British Nuclear, will be set up immediately to bring forward new projects, backed by substantial funding, including a £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund. Furthermore, facilitating the safe and cost-effective clean-up of the UK's legacy nuclear sites is a key commitment of the Energy Security Bill and will ensure the UK is a responsible nuclear state.

The Energy Security Strategy builds on the Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, and, together with the Net Zero Strategy, is driving an unprecedented £100 billion of private sector investment into new British industries and will support 480,000 new clean jobs by the end of the decade.

Cleaner, more affordable, domestically produced energy will be key to boosting our long-term energy independence and prosperity, and I look forward to witnessing the Strategy's long-term benefits.

It’s also clear that the Government sees Cornwall’s importance when it comes to the future of renewable energy – creating the domestic reliability we need to be truly sustainable. There is potential everywhere we look in Cornwall when it comes to clean, green energy.

 

We’ve got geothermal energy beneath our feet, along with lithium which can be used in Electric cars . We’ve got floating off shore wind out in the Celtic Sea. We’ve also got satellites being sent up to space from Cornish soil, which is also the world’s most environmentally responsible launch location - leading the way in attracting investment in cleaner technologies, driving positive change and pioneering practices which become the new industry standard.

 

Earlier this month we saw the Governments support for Twinhub– based out in the Celtic Sea off the Cornish Coast. 

 

Once up and running, it could generate around 32 megawatts of energy, which is enough electricity to power about 45,000 Cornish homes. The offshore wind industry is also estimated to support 3,200 jobs across the South West and Wales.

 

This is just the start - when operational, the project would also plug into local supply chains such as Falmouth Port, where I am today, which could play an important role in its development, operation and maintenance. 

 

Through investment in old and new industries, like mining, space and renewables, we can ensure there is a skills pathway for Cornish school children wanting the quality careers of the future. We need to retain our talent in Cornwall and have high skilled, well-paid careers.

 

This is the first step in what could be a really exciting new industry for the people of Cornwall and I will continue to work hard along with my five Cornish MP colleagues to ensure we drive forward Cornwall's floating offshore wind ambitions. 

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.