Solar Power: Contracts
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that participants in the Contracts for Difference auction process do not source solar panels or components linked to forced labour in the Uyghur Region.
Answered by Michael Shanks
The Government is committed to tackling forced labour in solar supply chains, including in Xinjiang.
The Government is strengthening due diligence requirements through the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 and by reviewing Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act.
In addition, the Solar Roadmap, published in the summer, outlines actions to build ethical, resilient supply chains, including support for the Solar Stewardship Initiative, which is conducting independent audits of manufacturers.
CfD Projects over 300MW must submit a Supply Chain Plan demonstrating steps to prevent modern slavery and labour exploitation, which the Department monitors throughout delivery.
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