Written question WQ86021

The UK Government is responsible for driving investment in energy networks in Great Britain and should ensure, with Ofgem, that networks enable rather than hold back development in Wales.

I plan to publish a plan on the priority actions required to deliver the net zero grid for Wales in April 2023, when the Future Energy Grids for Wales project is complete.

However, our continuing work with the UK Government, Ofgem and the network operators is already delivering changes. The publication of the Holistic National Design in July includes a clear requirement for new transmission infrastructure in Wales, which we will monitor closely to ensure the design of new grid benefits Wales. The new five-year plans governing electricity distribution network companies in Wales also allow investment and we are involving the companies in our detailed energy planning to ensure Wales’s requirements are met as soon as possible.

The UK Government should fund and resource energy planning across the UK to common standards. We are happy to share the learning from our national approach to energy planning to help them do this.