§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis municipal incineration is classified as a renewable energy source. [8261]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 18 October 2001]: All energy from waste was classified as a renewable energy source under the original Non Fossil Fuels Order. However, the EU Directive on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources in the internal energy market classifies only the biodegradable element of waste as a renewable source. 537W The Government have recently consulted on their view that waste incineration should not be promoted through the Renewables Obligation (RO) and that such projects will not contribute to the Government's proposed target that by 2010 renewable sources eligible for the RO should comprise 10 per cent. of sales by licensed electricity suppliers.