§ 7. Mr. Simon Thomas (Ceredigion)If he will make a statement on Government support for renewable energy in Wales. [44152]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Don Touhig)The Government's approach to renewable energy is to set the framework but leave the market to decide on the type and location of projects to be pursued. The renewables obligation, which came into effect in England and Wales on 1 April 2002, will provide an assured market for renewables until 2027.
§ Mr. ThomasI thank the Minister for his reply. May I remind him that an objective 1 project at Aberporth in my constituency has a renewable biomass energy-creating project at its centre? That project has been endangered by the withdrawal of Ministry of Defence funding for its apprentices in the past two weeks. What action is the Minister taking in the Wales Office to ensure that that shortfall of funding will be plugged so that the project can go ahead? Will he come and visit the project to see for himself how we can renewably regenerate that area of west Wales?
§ Mr. TouhigI am aware of the biomass project to which the hon. Gentleman refers. I am also aware that this morning he met the Secretary of State regarding the decision to discontinue apprenticeships at Aberporth. I commend the hon. Gentleman for his hard work lobbying on that issue, and I understand his disappointment. My right hon. Friend and the First Minister met QinetiQ earlier this week, and they are now exploring with other agencies ways to obtain continued funding for the apprentice school. I will happily visit the proposed site of the Aberporth technical park. If we pull together on this issue, we will gain great benefit for the whole of Wales.