HC Deb 13 July 1998 vol 316 cc44-5W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has for encouraging the development of energy from waste technology. [49677]

Mr. Battle

To date, well over 200 schemes, with a total capacity exceeding 1,000MW, have been offered contracts under the first four rounds of the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO-1 to NFFO-4) to generate power via waste-based technologies from sources including landfill gas, sewage gas, and municipal and industrial waste.

In the short-term future, I expect to announce the fifth round of the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO-5) in the autumn. Subject to suitable bids being received, I am considering including three separate bands in the NFFO-5 Order for waste-based technologies—for landfill gas, for municipal and industrial waste, and for municipal and industrial waste using combined heat and power (CHP)— as well as separate bands for small-scale hydro and onshore wind energy.

In the longer term, and in line with this Government's manifesto commitment to undertake a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources, I have been reviewing policy towards new and renewable energy, including considerations of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10% of UK electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reduction commitments. Further support for energy from waste technology is being considered as part of that review process. I hope to announce the outcome of that review this summer.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the EU White Paper on renewable energy. [49676]

Mr. Battle

We have given the White Paper careful consideration, along with our European partners. Under the UK Presidency, the Council of Ministers adopted a Resolution welcoming the White Paper and urging Member States to develop strategies to promote renewables in order to bring about a substantial increase in renewables throughout the EU.

In line with this Government's manifesto commitment to undertake a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources, I have been reviewing policy towards new and renewable energy, including considerations of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10% of UK electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010, and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reduction commitments.