HC Deb 26 February 1990 vol 168 c92W
18. Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many applications for renewable sources of energy have been received for inclusion under the non-fossil fuel obligation.

46. Mr. Arbuthnot

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many applications for renewable sources of energy have been received for inclusion under the non-fossil fuel obligation.

Mr. Wakeham

The area boards have received about 300 applications.

36. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how the development of renewable sources of energy will be encouraged after the privatisation of the electricity industry.

42. Mr. Charles Wardle

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how the development of renewable sources of energy will be encouraged after the privatisation of the electricity industry.

Mr. Peter Morrison

After privatisation the Department will continue to undertake a major research and development programme aimed at developing commercially viable and environmentally acceptable renewable technologies. Over the next few years expenditure on the programme is expected to increase significantly. Funding will rise by 13.5 per cent. to over £20 million in 1990–91.

Renewables will also benefit from the non-fossil fuel obligation. The area boards have already received around 300 applications for inclusion in the initial obligation. An additional 600 MW of capacity within the obligation reserved exclusively for renewables will be introduced in a series of tranches during the 1990s. If it should appear desirable in the light of experience, the additional tranches could be brought forward or the total increased.