Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of funding currently avilable to the Energy Saving Trust for programmes of work in 1994–95; what is the source of these funds; and what further resources are expected to be made available during the current financial year.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation, but I understand that its programmes for 1994–95 are as follows:
- (a) The Trust's pilot scheme for local energy advice centres is expected to spend about £3m, derived from a variety of sources, including this Department;
- (b) The Trust's pilot scheme to promote domestic combined heat and power is expected to spend about £lm. This is funded by British Gas out of a corresponding increase in gas tariff income approved by OFGAS. Similar funding for any further schemes developed by the Trust and put forward by British Gas will be subject to decision by OFGAS;
- (c) Regional Electricity Companies (RECs) have been set energy efficiency targets by OFFER in consultation with the Trust, and may raise around £22m from
476 electricity franchise customers in 1994–95 to fund energy efficiency schemes. The savings achieved by schemes will be calculated by a method proposed by the Trust, and the Trust are devising various national schemes which would help achieve those savings.