§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many energy-saving projects have been initiated in British industry since May 1979; what has been their success rate; and if the Government have any further plans for savings in this area.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Government do not keep records of energy saving projects initiated in United Kingdom industry, other than those for which grants have been made available.
Since May 1979, 1,298 projects under the energy conservation scheme have been supported leading to estimated annual savings of approximately 300,000 tonnes of oil equivalent. In addition, since May 1979 the Departments of Industry and Energy have provided support for 73 energy conservation demonstration projects in industry. Five of these have reached completion and in nearly all cases the target savings have been achieved.
The Government's future plans include continued expenditure under the latter scheme for suitable energy projects in industry. Support for proposals which include an energy-saving content, is also available from the Department's more general R and D financial assistance given by research requirements boards, the product and process development scheme and the microprocessor application project.