HC Deb 18 June 1990 vol 174 c433W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are his funding plans for research into wave power for the financial years 1990–91 to 1992–93.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Provision for wave energy research is currently £200,000 per year. Future funding will depend on the results of the review of wave energy being carried out by the Department and on the progress of the Department's wave energy project on the island of Islay in Scotland.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to increase the cap on the premium price for renewables entering the non-fossil fuel obligation from 6p per unit per kilowatt hour, to 8p per unit.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The terms on which projects are contracted within the non-fossil fuel obligation (NFFO), including the level and timing of payments, are a matter for the public electricity suppliers (PES). However, I am confident that the legislation provides the public electricity suppliers with a fair degree of flexibility which will allow a significant number of renewables projects to be included within the non-fossil fuel obligation.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he proposes to take to protect the development of renewable energy sources after the removal of the fossil fuel levy after 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Government do not expect to take a view on the future of the non-fossil fuel obligation beyond 1998 until the time of the nuclear review in 1994. The strategy for research and development into renewable energy was published as Department of Energy paper No. 55.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made an assessment of the implication for the viability of renewable energy development of the European Community decision to limit the future of the fossil fuel levy to eight years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 18 April to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) at column853.