HC Deb 14 April 1986 vol 95 c565
4. Mrs. Roe

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report on the progress of the energy efficiency demonstration scheme.

Mr. Peter Walker

I am pleased to report that the energy efficiency demonstration scheme achieved its target of stimulating annual energy savings worth £120 million by the beginning of this year.

Mrs. Roe

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the new techniques and technologies applied in this demonstration project will be welcomed? Can he give the number of replications that have taken place? Will the Hertfordshire county council waste-derived fuel project qualify for grant under this scheme?

Mr. Walker

I cannot answer the latter question without studying the application. In terms of duplication, I am pleased to say that the energy-saving technologies pioneered through the scheme have been taken up in more than 5,600 different locations in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

Being a great fan of energy efficiency and how energy is saved, can my right hon. Friend tell the House how often local authorities, major businesses and the captains of industry are approached to establish what savings they could make under the scheme? Large savings could be made through this important project.

Mr. Walker

In terms of industry, the early morning breakfast special briefing sessions have been a great success. In terms of local authorities, LAMSAC has made an analysis showing that local authorities could save more than £100 million a year by applying basic energy efficiency. I am glad to say that many local authorities are doing this, and I hope that many more will follow.