§ Mr. OatenTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has further to develop wind farming in the United Kingdom. [43550]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Government consider that wind energy is one of the most promising renewables and has the prospect to contribute substantially to UK energy supplies.
In line with the Government's manifesto commitment to a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources, in June 1997, I initiated a review of new and renewable energy policy including what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and what contribution new and renewables could make to the Government's target of a 20 per cent. reduction in CO2 emissions by 2010. The Review is considering all forms of New and Renewable Energy including the prospects for onshore and offshore wind energy.
In November 1997, I announced outline policy proposals for the fifth Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Renewables Order in England and Wales (NFFO-5), and which included provision for onshore wind energy with new separate technology bands for small and larger scale windfarms. The purpose of these Orders is to secure 507W additional generating capacity from renewables in order to help them enter the commercial generating market. There are currently fifty-five NFFO wind energy projects generating electricity with a combined capacity of 132.28 MW and I look forward to seeing this contribution grow in coming years.