HC Deb 27 October 1986 vol 103 cc9-10
7. Mr. Amess

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about his Department's programme of research into renewable forms of energy.

Mr. David Hunt

The Government have identified the most promising renewable technologies for United Kingdom conditions, and substantial support is being given to their development. So far this year we have announced major extensions to our programmes on wind, tidal and geothermal energy, worth over £15 million.

Mr. Amess

Has my hon. Friend had any success so far in attracting contributions from external sources for his Department's programme, because it is vital that the private sector is involved if "renewables" are to be viable? Can he give me figures for each of the past five years?

Mr. Hunt

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's enthusiasm. Major contributions have already been made to our programme from external sources, which have reached a record level this year. I shall arrange to place in the Library a financial table showing the past five years and the available information on these contributions.

Mr. Kennedy

Is it not likely that such a table would highlight the damaging reduction that the Government put through last year in support for research and development into alternative sources of energy? Is that not particularly self-defeating at a time when nuclear power is of such public and political concern? Might it not be in the best interests of the Government and the country if, in persuading people as to the merits of civil nuclear power industry, it were to be seen that we were not also foreclosing the option of developing research into "renewables"? Surely there is a role for both.

Mr. Hunt

The Government have maintained a record level of spending on renewables. Since 1979 over £93 million has been invested in renewable energy research and development by the Department of Energy, compared with just under £17 million in the previous five years. There are some changes from year to year due to major contracts falling in one year rather than the other, but if the hon. Gentleman examines the record he will find that no Government have done more for renewable energy and research into wind and passive solar technology, biofuels, tidal energy and geothermal hot dry rock technology. Perhaps he will acknowledge that truth.

Mr. Mudd

My hon. Friend will be aware of the contents of Professor Shock's report and the suggestion that it has identified sources of hot dry rocks that might show a 50-year cycle of life. What steps is the Department taking to attract the industrial investment that is necessary to bring this source of energy to fulfilment?

Mr. Hunt

I congratulate my hon. Friend, who has been vigilant in ensuring that I constantly meet those involved in the project and in canvassing its advantages. He is right in stressing that Professor Shock's report concludes [hat electricity generation at an estimated cost of 4.2 per kW hour is the most attractive option for hot dry rock technology, although the cost is subject to many uncertainties, such as drilling costs and reservoir flow. Now that we have the involvement of RTZ and Taylor Woodrow and Professor Shock's important report, we are moving towards a major decision next year. I know what my hon. Friend will be urging us to do. I hope that we shall see hot dry rock technology becoming more commercially viable.

Mrs. Kellett-Bowman

Is my hon. Friend aware that 50 miles from San Francisco there is a huge area covered with 1,000 gigantic windmills, and that similarly near Miami and various other cities similar windmills are to be found? The area covered is enormous and the noise is horrendous. Will my hon. Friend accept that although the Government's commitment to alternative sources of energy is highly commendable, and infinitely better than the stance taken by the Labour party, the fact remains that these alternative sources can supply only a fraction of the power that will be required in Britain in the next century?

Mr. Hunt

I agree with my hon. Friend. I, too, had the opportunity of visiting the Altamont pass a few months ago, and I can tell my hon. Friend that the number of aerogenerators has increased from 1,000 to 5,000. It is correct to say that this has aroused tremendous hostility on the part of environmental groups. It was especially satisfying to be in the Altamont pass and to recognise that the finest aerogenerators there were made by James Howden and Co. of Glasgow.