Energy Ministers’ statements in response to our
community energy campaign
Below are statements from Energy Ministers at Parliamentry debates that we coordinated in support of legislation we are calling for to enable more community renewable energy.
Andrew Bowie MP, as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, speaking to the Energy Bill Committee on 22nd June, 2023:
“Community energy projects can have real benefits for the communities in which they are based.”
Andrew Bowie MP, as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, speaking at the Energy Bill’s Second Reading in the House of Commons, 9th May 2023:
“Many Members raised community energy schemes, which I strongly agree have a role to play in tackling climate change.”
Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, then Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, speaking at the ‘Electricity Generation: Local Suppliers’ Adjournment Debate, 14th October 2020:
“The hon. Member [for Ceredigion] has spoken eloquently about the need for local communities to be able to supply electricity, and I think there are strong arguments in its favour. … I know that the hon. Member for Ceredigion supports a campaign for electricity generators to sell directly to local consumers, for all the benefits he suggested in terms of local employment. I think he or one of the many intervenors used the phrase ‘local buy-in’, and those arguments are fully appreciated.”
Amanda Solloway MP, then BEIS Parliamentary Under-Secretary, speaking at the ‘Enabling Community Energy’ Backbench Business Debate, 21st July 2021:
“I reassure the House that this Government absolutely recognise the valuable role that community and local renewable energy projects can and do play in supporting the UK’s national net zero targets.”
Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, then Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, speaking at the ‘Community Energy Schemes’ Westminster Hall Debate, 30th November 2021:
“I will start by reassuring the House that the Government recognise the role community and locally owned renewable energy schemes can and do play in supporting the UK’s national net zero targets.”
Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, then Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, speaking at the ‘Energy Security Strategy’ Westminster Hall Debate, 5th July 2022:
“My hon. Friend has been a consistent and dedicated promoter of the Local Electricity Bill. He is right that there is good consensus on this. The Government support local electricity generation.”
Lord Callanan, as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, speaking at the Energy Bill’s Grand Committee in the House of Lords, 19th December 2022:
“I will answer that question again: the Government are supportive of community energy schemes. We want to see more of them, but we think that is best delivered through the market framework.”
