§ Mr. CasaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in the United Kingdom are currently employed in the production of electricity from(a) wind power, (b) solar power and (c) wave power. [73773]
§ Mr. BattleThe UK renewables industry currently employs some 3,500 people in 700 companies. The British Wind Energy Association estimate that of these there are around 2,600 full-time equivalent jobs currently engaged in the production of electricity from wind power. As I said in my recent announcement of the publication of our Renewables Review Document, on 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 577–78, through creating an export drive, and by further developing the industry and the UK market, up to 45,000 jobs could be created.
§ Mr. CasaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the United Kingdom's energy needs were met by renewable energy sources(a) in 1979 and (b) in 1997. [73887]
§ Mr. BattleIn 1979 less than one third of a per cent. of the inland consumption of primary fuels in the United Kingdom were met from renewable sources, that is less than ¾ million tonnes of oil equivalent. This rose to 1.0 per cent. by 1997, equating to 2.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent.
Currently, approximately 2 per cent. of UK's electricity is generated from renewable sources. We expect this to rise to 5 per cent. by 2003.
The Government are working towards a target of renewable energy providing 10 per cent. of UK electricity supplies as soon as possible. We hope to achieve this by 2010.