HL Deb 08 December 2003 vol 655 cc44-5WA
Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government: How the feasibility of offshore tidal lagoons compares to the feasibility of other renewable energy sources such as wind turbines. [HL19]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Tidal lagoons as with other forms of large-scale barrage are technically feasible. The economics of tidal lagoons are not as well established as for wind power.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government: What support and encouragement they are giving to the research and development of offshore tidal lagoons. [HL20]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Government have a research and development programme for renewable energy currently funded at around £19 million per annum.

To be successful under this scheme, any application for research and development into tidal lagoon technology would need to demonstrate potential for significant innovation relative to other proposals considered. Proposals for the application of conventional technology would be unlikely to be successful.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government: What they consider to be the main advantages and disadvantages of offshore tidal lagoons as sources of renewable energy. [HL21]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Tidal lagoons as with other forms of large-scale barrage have the potential to contribute to the UK's renewable energy targets and are eligible for support through the renewables obligation.

The environmental impacts and economies of any proposed schemes would need to be assessed by developers and planning authorities on a case-by-case basis.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government: What contribution they expect from tidal power in reaching their target of 10 per cent of electricity to be provided from renewable sources by the year 2010. [HL22]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Government have set a target of 10 per cent of electricity in the UK to come from renewables by 2010. However, we have not specified what level of contribution should come from individual technologies. That is left to industry, being consistent with the Government's policy of an open and competitive energy market.