§ 54. Mr. HaywardTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next expects to publish an estimate of the potential for electricity generation by renewable energy sources.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerA detailed assessment of the potential for electricity generation by renewable energy sources has recently been undertaken by the chief scientist's group at the Energy Technology Support Unit as part of a comprehensive appraisal of United Kingdom energy research, development and demonstration. This appraisal of a wide range of different energy technologies considered to be relevant for the United Kingdom was published in July as energy paper 54. The background papers prepared by ETSU for this study have also been published as ETSU R43: these contain estimates of both the technical potential and the potential contribution for all renewable technologies. Copies of both publications are in the Libraries of the House.
As I said in the House on 30 October, as reported at column 623, we are currently preparing detailed strategy papers for each of the renewable technologies currently in our programme. These will be published next year and will incorporate any appropriate revisions to earlier assessments of potential contribution from the renewable technologies. Copies of these papers will also be placed in the Library of the House.