HC Deb 18 December 1997 vol 303 cc473-4
6. Mr. Pickthall

If she will make a statement about her Department's policy towards promoting the greater use of renewable energy sources. [19873]

Mr. Battle

The Government are undertaking a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources in line with our manifesto commitment. The policy review that I announced on 6 June is considering what action is necessary and practicable in order to achieve our target of generating 10 per cent. of the United Kingdom's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2010. On 25 November, I announced proposals for a fifth non-fossil fuel obligation order, which allows new bids for renewable projects.

Mr. Pickthall

I fully support the renewable energy policy and commend the work that my hon. Friend has done, but does he agree that subsidising wind turbines in upland areas of high landscape value with public money is an outrage? Should we not be looking at Danish models—[Interruption.] Perhaps we should do that, too. Should we not study placing wind turbines on offshore sites, as the Danes do, where they do no damage to the environment, visual or otherwise, rather than degrading our wonderful upland areas?

Mr. Battle

I share my hon. Friend's view that we must locate wind turbines in appropriate sites. In taking measures to promote renewable energy, we must ensure that we do not jeopardise the environment as a whole. That means that we have to recognise the importance of policies to protect the landscape and wildlife, whether in areas of outstanding natural beauty or sites of special scientific interest. It is up to the local planning process to ensure that proposals for projects are located sensibly, sensitively and in agreement with local people. I hope that that has happened. Onshore wind projects make a significant, though not major, contribution. I encourage my hon. Friend by pointing out that offshore wind projects have been accepted and that two have been awarded non-fossil fuel obligation 4 contracts.

Mrs. Browning

Does the Minister recall writing to me on 25 November in response to a letter that I sent him on 26 August in which I requested clarification of the Government's policy on prioritising all the fuels available to them for generating power? His reply said that he was surprised that I had asked such a question and that it hardly fell to Government to prioritise fuels. That does not seem to align with the answer that he gave the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall) or with the announcement of the Deputy Prime Minister on gas-fired power stations. Will he now give me a substantive reply or must I wait another three months?

Mr. Battle

If I recall her letter rightly, the hon. Lady asked whether we would fix percentages for certain fuels.

Mrs. Browning

No.

Mr. Battle

If she meant something different, it was hard to discern it from her letter. It was her party that put every source of fuel generation into the private sector and let them compete in a marketplace. It is hardly becoming for her to suggest that we go back and fix the lot.