Tag: William Cash

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effects of retention of Eggborough and Fiddler’s Ferry coal plants on investment in new combined cycle gas turbine plants.

Andrea Leadsom

Security of supply is our top priority and we monitor all market developments closely. In the shorter term, extending the operation of existing plant can provide important capacity whilst new capacity is built.

We are confident that the Capacity Market is the right mechanism to bring forward new capacity as older, less efficient plants close. Industry and investors made clear during our recent review their confidence in the Capacity Market. Our plan to buy more capacity and buy earlier will improve the chances of new capacity, particularly gas, clearing in future auctions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with (a) OFGEM and (b) the National Grid on encouraging the construction of new combined cycle gas turbine power stations.

Andrea Leadsom

Ministers and officials are in regular contact with OFGEM and National Grid including in relation to the prospects for new gas power stations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2015-11-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether (a) she or (b) another Minister from her Department plans to attend the Nutrition for Growth Summit schedules to take place during the Rio Summer Olympics.

Grant Shapps

We have yet to receive a formal invitation to the Nutrition for Growth Summit from the Government of Brazil. Once an invitation is received a decision will be taken on ministerial attendance.

DFID are working closely with the Brazilian government to support them in their preparations for the summit.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what measures she is taking to reassure existing electricity generators that the capacity market is fair and stable.

Andrea Leadsom

The Capacity Market design will enable competition between new and existing capacity and between different technologies so that all providers of capacity have the right incentives to make efficient decisions about investment in, and operation of, their assets. We work with all stakeholders to review the Capacity Market continuously to ensure it remains a fair competition and have acted to ensure a level playing field which retains the confidence of bidders and investors.The Rules governing the operation of the Capacity Market mechanism are managed by Ofgem to ensure both a fair and stable process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide an estimate of (a) the total level of immigration from other EU member states and (b) the annual number of people coming to settle in the UK from other EU member states which would trigger the activation of the proposed alert and safeguard emergency brake mechanism; and what discussions he has had with his counterparts in other EU member states and the European Commission on the appropriate thresholds for the emergency brake mechanism to be activated.

Mr Shailesh Vara

Alongside the conclusions of the February European Council, the European Commission made a separate Declaration on the emergency brake (the ‘Commission Declaration on the Safeguard Mechanism’). This Declaration set out the Commission’s view that the exceptional situation that the brake is intended to cover exists in the UK today.

Additional details are a matter for the implementation of the proposal, and further announcements will be made in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the cost of maintaining Black Start plans for coal-fired power stations has been to date.

Andrea Leadsom

National Grid is responsible for maintaining a Black Start capability for the Great Britain national electricity transmission system. This includes ensuring that all plans are up to date and fit for purpose. The costs for National Grid to administrate the Black Start capability are included in its operating expenditure under the transmission price control managed by Ofgem (currently RIIO-T1).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with (a) Ofgem and (b) the National Grid on steps to encourage coal plants to stay open.

Andrea Leadsom

Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Ofgem and National Grid on the outlook for generation including the relative profitability of coal and gas generation. DECC consulted National Grid and Ofgem when preparing proposals for an early capacity auction to ensure this would be deliverable and effective. This auction is technology neutral so open to all capacity providers but the prospect of success in this auction has been welcomed by coal plant operators who may otherwise have closed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with (a) Big Six and (b) other combined cycle gas turbine generators on the effect on the electricity market of Black Start payments to coal-fired power stations.

Andrea Leadsom

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had specific discussions with the Big Six or combined cycle gas turbine generators on this matter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the expansion of new electricity interconnectors on (a) the capacity market auction price and (b) long-term investment in gas-fired electricity generation.

Andrea Leadsom

We are confident that the Capacity Market is the right tool to bring forward new capacity including gas as it is needed. The participation of interconnectors in the Capacity Auction is expected to increase competition among capacity providers in the auction helping to take clearing prices as low as possible for consumers. The security of supply contribution that interconnection makes is assessed annually, based on detailed market modelling to determine anticipated electricity flows from connected markets at times of GB system stress. The government published an impact assessment last year on the inclusion of interconnectors in the Capacity Market which is available here:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2015/187/pdfs/ukia_20150187_en.pdf.

Both new gas and new interconnectors are likely to be important parts of the long-term investment we need in new capacity to ensure energy supply.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by William Cash on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent progress has been made on the gas generation strategy.

Andrea Leadsom

The Gas Generation Strategy [1], published in December 2012, set out a range of proposed measures, at that time, to support investment in new gas plant. The Government has made significant progress in delivering the measures outlined in the Strategy. Of particular importance was the introduction of a capacity market in 2014 which provides reliable capacity, including gas plant, with secure revenues. The Government believes the capacity market provides the necessary financial incentives to ensure new gas plant are brought forward as and when needed.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gas-generation-strategy

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