Great British Energy: Second Reading, 5th September

Great British Energy (GBE) will be the first publicly owned energy generation company in 75 years, central to the Government’s clean power mission. Owned by the British people, for the British people, GBE will be backed by £8.3 billion over this Parliament to invest in clean power projects across the UK.

GBE aims to drive clean energy deployment, creating jobs, boosting energy independence, and ensuring that British taxpayers, billpayers, and communities benefit from clean, secure, home-grown energy.

During the bill’s second reading, I highlighted an innovative start-up in my constituency that’s manufacturing lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective solar modules. I’m pleased with the Secretary of State’s interest in clean energy businesses in East Durham and I will be writing to him with more details soon.

Grahame Morris (Easington) (Lab)
I completely agree with the basis of my right hon. Friend’s argument for ending the offshoring of jobs, energy assets and employment opportunities. Almost all solar panels are currently sourced from China. Power Roll, a company in my constituency, has developed a lightweight, flexible and cost-effective solar module and is eager to establish its first gigafactory. Does he agree that, to secure our energy future, Great British Energy should be supporting and investing in innovative start-ups such as Power Roll in east Durham?

Ed Miliband (Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero)
My hon. Friend is a brilliant champion of his constituency and these issues, and he is absolutely right that part of the challenge we face is to expand our supply chains in Britain. I am very interested in the example he gives.