HC Deb 15 November 1989 vol 160 c301W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to make subsidies available for renewable sources of energy.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Department is already giving substantial financial support to develop renewable sources of energy. We are supporting a major research and development programme aimed at developing commercially viable and environmentally acceptable renewable technologies to contribute to future energy supply. Around 250 projects are currently underway with a contract value of over £60 million and we expect to initiate 70–80 new projects during 1989–90. Over £50 million is earmarked for expenditure on renewable projects over the next three years. These projects include both research and development and a wide range of technology transfer activities designed to aid commercial deployment.