§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what help her Department will give to(a) tidal and (b) wave powered electricity; and what help it will give to assist UK manufacturing to provide the equipment. [180061]
§ Mr. TimmsThe main form of support for all renewable technologies is the Renewables Obligation (RO) which provides a stable and long-term market for renewable electricity. Electricity generation from both wave and tidal technologies is eligible for the RO.
However, these technologies are further from market and still at the developmental stage. Therefore the principal form of support has been through the DTI's Research and Development Programme, which since 1997, has committed around £15 million towards the development of these technologies.
The recent Renewable Innovation Review undertaken by the DTI and the Carbon Trust www.dti.gov.uk/energy/renewables/policy/renewables_innovation_review. shtml considered the issue of funding for the next phase of development of these technologies which includes small scale demonstration and pre-commercial stages.
The Government have received a number of representations from the industry and others about the form of support that is required to ensure the lead we have established in the UK is maintained.
The DTI is currently considering what the options are for providing further support and how we support the industry through the next phase of development We recognise the significant industrial opportunities which successful development of wave and tide power technology could provide for the UK.