HC Deb 20 January 1999 vol 323 cc513-4W
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what renewable energy schemes in the United Kingdom have been part or fully funded by(a) European Community energy programmes and (b) the European Investment Bank. [66622]

Mr. Battle

In the four year period 1995 to 1998, the European Community THERMIE Programme offered support to twenty two projects concerning renewable energy plant in the United Kingdom.

The European Community JOULE programme has supported a large number of renewable energy research and development projects. JOULE projects are collaborative with the results shared between partners in different Member States. The ALTENER programme focuses on projects promoting renewable energy, for example the dissemination of information, developing financial instruments and training. ALTENER projects are collaborative with an emphasis on the wide dissemination of project results. Information about JOULE and THERMIE projects can be found on the CORDIS database, accessed through the World Wide Web. The address is: http://www.cordis.lu/. The ALTENER home page address is: http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg17/altener.htm.

The European Investment Bank has supported three renewable energy projects in the United Kingdom, all waste to energy plants.

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department is taking to promote domestic renewable energy expertise to overseas markets; and if he will make a statement. [66619]

Mr. Battle

My Department assists British renewable energy companies to win export orders worldwide, and has had a focused programme of activities including, trade missions, overseas seminars and exhibitions, inward visits, market research and information dissemination. This programme is supported by two dedicated Trade Promoters, who have been concentrating their efforts on target markets such as China, India and Spain. For example, last autumn the Minister for Science opened a renewable energy seminar, and associated trade mission, in Peking. We also take advantage of other opportunities in overseas markets, which in the past year have included, Poland, United States and the Philippines.

British renewable energy exports are estimated to have risen from an historic level of £10–15 million p.a. in the early 90's to around £80–100 million p.a. in the last two years.