Correspondence between Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and Great British Energy (GB Energy): EIR release

Information requested

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, I am requesting the release of information held by the Scottish Government regarding communications and meetings between the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (formerly Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy), and her officials, and representatives of Great British Energy (GB Energy).

This request specifically concerns the Scottish Government’s position that the UK Government and GB Energy should be leading the commercialisation of emerging pre-commercial wave energy technology.

I am seeking information recorded between April 2025 and March 2026 relating to the following:

1. Innovation Funding: All records of engagement (including meetings, correspondence, and briefings) with the UK Government and GB Energy regarding the provision of innovation funding for wave energy technologies.

2. Policy Development: All records of engagement regarding the development of policy for wave energy.

For each of the above, please provide:

• The dates on which such engagement took place.
• The channels used (e.g., formal ministerial meetings, inter-governmental committees, emails, or official letters).
• The outcomes: Any responses, formal commitments, or agreements received from the UK Government or GB Energy in relation to these discussions.
• Supporting documentation: Minutes of meetings, briefing notes provided to the Cabinet Secretary, and any submissions or memos exchanged between the Scottish Government and GB Energy officials.

If any of this information is already available in the public domain, please provide the relevant links.

If you consider any part of this request to be exempt from disclosure, please provide the non-exempt portions and cite the specific exemptions for any redacted sections.

Response

I have included copies of the information you have requested in the attached Annex (B).

On reviewing materials within the scope of your request, exceptions have been applied in line with the EIRs. The exceptions applied can be found in the attached Annex (A).

Please note that the final document provided as part of Annex B, namely the letter from Great British Energy (GBE) to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin incorrectly shows a date of 17 March 2025. Said letter was sent from GBE on 17 March 2026 and would fall within scope of your request.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

EIR 202600512493 - Annex A and Annex B

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