§ 8. Dr. Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab)What discussions she has held with other Government Departments concerning the allocation of sites for the development of offshore wind turbine farms. [163440]
§ The Minister for Energy, E-Commerce and Postal Services (Mr. Stephen Timms)The recent award of site leases for offshore wind farms was made by the Crown Estate working with the Department for Trade and Industry. The lease awards exercise closely involved other Departments, including the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Transport.
§ Dr. WhiteheadI am sure that my hon. Friend will agree about the importance of the development of offshore wind farms in ensuring that our renewable targets are achieved. Has he entered into a dialogue with the Ministry of Defence about its concerns about radar and wind turbines at sea? If so, is he willing to ask the Ministry of Defence for an open exchange of information so that those issues can be resolved, rather than the guessing game which appears to be going on now concerning whether MOD radar is a problem for offshore wind farms? Is he willing to resolve those issues speedily so that the developments can proceed?
§ Mr. TimmsI agree with my hon. Friend and welcome his strong support in this House and elsewhere for the development of renewable energy. I certainly am in dialogue with the MOD about its concerns, which I understand and which are proper. I agree that it is important that those concerns should be addressed and I am confident that they can be. This morning the MOD laid some objections to the offshore wind farms in round two. We shall certainly work closely with it to resolve those issues. I agree also with my hon. Friends point about the need for openness so that everyone can see the way forward.
§ Mr. Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury) (Con)Against the background of the increasing resistance, of which I know the Minister is aware, by local communities, environmentalists, animal and bird welfare organisations and our armed forces to wind farms in some of our most treasured natural environments, both onshore and offshore where the Chamber of Shipping continues to raise serious concerns; and given the intermittent nature of wind-derived energy, however desirable as a renewable source but which will only ever be a relatively small contributory element to the United Kingdom's overall energy supplies, will the Minister who carries the ultimate responsibility for keeping the lights on now give an undertaking to the House that his Government's taxpayer-subsidised push for wind is not at the expense of the UK's medium to long-term safe, secure, competitively affordable mix of energy supplies from gas, oil and coal, or as the Minister has said, at the expense of ruling out new nuclear power?
§ Mr. TimmsThe development of a substantial renewable energy generating sector will make an important contribution to security of supply. A diverse range of sources is needed and renewable electricity can only help.
§ Mr. Kevin Hughes (Doncaster, North) (Lab)When the Minister considers the many offshore sites, will he encourage the applicants at Tween bridges in my constituency to move to an offshore site so that Thorne moors, a site of special scientific interest, will be not blighted by huge, ugly structures that work only 30 per cent. of the time?
§ Mr. TimmsI am aware of the concerns in my hon. Friend's area, which will be fully considered in the planning process. Development of onshore and offshore wind energy generating capacity is needed and there is clear evidence across the country of overwhelming public support for moving in that direction. We cannot go on burning more coal and oil; renewable energy is required as well.
§ Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con)The Minister must recognise that not everybody loves those wretched, inefficient wind turbines. I prefer them offshore to onshore but when they are close to the coast, will the Minister ensure that discussions are held with local residents about the impact on tourism and water sports—and on birdlife? A Californian experiment showed that a considerable number of birds, including rare breeds, were dying. If a small part of the subsidy for wind energy were spent on energy conservation, more energy would be saved than is produced by the wretched wind turbines.
§ Mr. TimmsAs I have said, there is strong public support throughout the country for the development of renewable energy. The recent round two offshore wind energy announcement included a coastal exclusion zone from 8 km to 13 km—particularly to protect birds, inshore fishing and other interests. A careful assessment will be made of every project's impact. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will recognise that wind power will make an important and substantial contribution to meeting the demand for electricity—not least in addressing the terrible problems and threats posed by climate change.