Chamber and committees

Security of supply for gas and electricity is a matter reserved to the UK Government and is delivered by the National Electricity System Operator (NESO) across the whole of GB, under regulation from Ofgem. As we transition to a net zero energy system and reduce our dependence on fossil fuel generation, long-duration energy storage technologies, including pumped hydro storage, will play a larger role in ensuring a secure and resilient electricity system by providing a reliable and flexible electricity supply.

With regards to any specific projects that may require planning approval, Ministers cannot comment.

Responsibility for assessing security of supply rests with the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator, as a reserved matter. Balancing of the grid including determining relevant costs is also a reserved matter.

The Scottish Government is confident that NESO, as the body responsible for system operability, will ensure that grid stability and security of supply are maintained as the energy system transitions.

The Scottish Government meets regularly with NESO colleagues to discuss relevant issues including security of supply as required.

Following the consultation on the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan (ESJTP), the Scottish Government stated in September 2023 that it would publish the final version by Summer 2024. However, since then there have been significant changes in the energy sector.

The judgements and issues in the ESJTP are informed and influenced by ongoing developments in the UK Government’s energy policy and by recent court decisions. We are taking sufficient time to analyse and reflect on those developments and their impact on Scotland. The Scottish Government has published many policy decisions on energy, setting out a clear policy approach.

Long duration electricity storage, such as pumped hydro storage, plays a vital role in providing flexibility services to the grid and ensuring a resilient electricity system.

There is currently 0.74 GW of pumped hydro storage operational in Scotland, with 4.79 GW awaiting construction and 4.20 GW awaiting a planning decision. It is not possible for the Scottish Government to estimate when projects will become operational as these are commercial decisions.

We have co-commissioned the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to develop a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan for Great Britain to provide greater clarity on the shape of our future energy system.

The Scottish Government understands that SSEN has now put in place its frameworks with contract partners. These frameworks will enable partners to bid for specific projects. This process will define the precise nature and the grade of roles created.

Planning associated with the security of fuel and energy supplies is a reserved matter and it is for the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to assess the sufficiency of gas storage for Scotland and the rest of Great Britain. We remain in close contact with the UK Government on these matters.

It is a matter for the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to assess the sufficiency of gas storage in the UK. However, some reporting on this issue has been misleading and inaccurate. In addition to stored capacity the UK benefits from domestically produced gas; a direct pipeline supply from Norway; and large LNG import facilities.

While the Scottish Government strongly encourages all employers in Scotland to follow Fair Work principles as part of its wider Fair Work agenda, it does not have the levers to enforce fair work conditions on private contracts. Employment law is reserved to the UK Government.

As matters relating to the setting and management of constraint payments are reserved, the Scottish Government has not made its own assessment of expected future changes in curtailment costs.

All regulation and legislation relating to electricity networks is reserved to the UK Government. The responsibility for the balancing the grid lies with the National Energy System Operator (NESO). More information including data on balancing costs can be found here: Balancing costs | National Energy System Operator.

The Inquiry is currently in its early set-up phase, and the detailed Terms of Reference for the Inquiry will be developed over the coming months with Professor Jay. I need to be clear that it is not for Ministers to direct an independent inquiry chair on costs and duration.

Through my discussions with Professor Jay so far, she has said she wants to ensure the Inquiry delivered at pace while ensuring it has the flexibility to investigate any areas it deems necessary. My officials continue to work at pace on the initial set-up of the inquiry.

Mr Findlay was amongst cross-party MSPs invited to a briefing session which I chaired on 16 March to engage with Professor Jay and the Inspectorates leading the National Review into group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation to hear more about progress on these matters.

Post-election, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills will provide an update to the Scottish Parliament as work to formally establish the Inquiry advances.