Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the maximum contribution to be made by wind energy as a percentage of United Kingdom electricity producition in the year 2000.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThere is great uncertainty about projections for developing technologies such as renewable sources of energy. By the year 2025, wind energy might provide up to 30 TWh per year of electricity, which represents about 10 per cent. of current electricity requirements.
We have not made any estimates for the year 2000, but would expect commercial exploitation of wind energy to commence in the mid-1990s if the present assessment phase of our renewable energy programme is successful.