§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who(a) owns and (b) runs the wind farms in the UK; and how much has been paid by the Government to develop wind power in each of the last three years. [41328]
§ Mr. WilsonWind farms in the UK are commercial developments, usually owned and run by the project developer. The table below sets out public support for approved wind energy projects given through the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) and the comparable arrangements operating in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This is public expenditure, but paid for by the electricity consumer through the Fossil Fuel Levy.
£million NFFO SRO NFFO-NI 1998–99 35.1 7.2 7.3 1999–2000 7.3 8.1 7.8 2000–01 6.8 7.1 7.3 Support from NFFO is lower after 1998–99 because NFFO 1 and 2 contracts terminated on 31 December 1998.
Spend on research projects into wind energy from my Department's Sustainable Energy Programme has been running at close to £1 million each year, and there may be other relevant research funded by the Research Councils.
Wind farms will also benefit from the proposed Renewables Obligation now before Parliament. Again the cost will be borne by the electricity consumer.