§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to(a) re-examine and (b) change the renewables obligation on electricity suppliers; and if she will make a statement. [154231]
§ Mr. TimmsA review of the Renewables Obligation will take place in 2005–06. Last December, the Government announced an increase in the level of the Obligation for the years between 2010 and 2015 so that it increases in stages to 15.4 per cent. by 2015–16.
There will be a statutory order to give effect to some technical changes from 1 April 2004 following a consultation exercise last autumn. The statutory consultation needed to implement the extension of obligation will take place later this year and may contain other proposals to mitigate the risk of future shortfalls in the renewables buyout fund.