§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his Department's research into renewable forms of energy.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerMy Department is supporting comprehensive research, development and demonstration programmes aimed at exploiting the significant renewable energy resource in the United Kingdom. Over 240 projects valued at nearly £60 million are under way, and a substantial number of new projects will be commissioned this year. Over £106 million has been invested by the Department since 1979 and strong support will continue to be provided to ensure that the renewable technologies will make the maximum environmentally acceptable contribution of which they are economically capable.
Increased attention is being paid in the programme to technical transfer and information dissemination aimed at stimulating increased commercial involvement in development projects as the technologies move towards commercialisation.