§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made an assessment of the implications of the recent European Commission ruling in respect of subsidy for renewable energy schemes for the development and application potential of the schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI refer the hon. Member to my answer on 18 April to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) at column853.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the nature, scale and implications of any changes or corrections that have been made recently to the assessment of the costs of renewable energy in reports and papers for which his Department is responsible.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonEach renewable energy technology is reappraised periodically in the light of the most 97W up-to-date information. For example, a study to update the prospects for wave energy in the United Kingdom is currently under way. The Department of Energy through its agent, the energy technology support unit, makes available to the public any new information through publication of project results and studies.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his assessment of the cost of offshore wave energy, calculated on the basis of a return on investment equivalent to that achieved by the Central Electricity Generating Board over the past five years.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAs I announced to the House on 13 November 1989, an updating study to review cost, technical and commercial viability and prospects for wave energy in the United Kingdom is currently under way. Progress reports on that study will be made available as the work is undertaken and the final report will be published.