HC Deb 18 November 1992 vol 214 cc227-8W
Mr. Robathan

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards achieving the Government's objective of working towards a figure of 1000 MW of electricity generating capacity from renewable energy sources by the year 2000; whether he expects that target to be met; and what impact the non-fossil fuel obligation will have on its achievement.

Mr. Eggar

Contracts in England and Wales for more than 500 MW of new renewables-based generation capacity were signed in the first two rounds of the non-fossil fuel obligation, of which 185 MW should be operational by the end of the current financial year, with a further 350 MW scheduled for further years. Seven MW of that NFFO capacity have been withdrawn. Some 6 MW of new capacity were also contracted in Scotland under transitional arrangements. Further new NFFO capacity in England and Wales, capacity which might be expected under NFFO-type arangements in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, and some non-grid-connected capacity, will help the United Kingdom in working towards 1000 MW of new renewables-based capacity in the United Kingdom by the year 2000, as specified in the 1990 White Paper on the environment.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the renewable energy advisory group to submit its report; and whether he will publish it.

Mr. Eggar

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 2 November 1992,Official Report, column 60.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the

Mr. Leigh

[holding answer 17 November 1992]: The financial benefits accruing from reductions in the employer's contribution to the Post Office staff superannuation scheme for each year since 1987 are as follows:

availability beyond 1998 in other EC member states of financial support equivalent to the non-fossil fuel obligation.

Mr. Eggar

The energy technology support unit, on behalf of the DTI, will be conducting a detailed assessment in the coming year of arrangements in other EC member states for the development of the market for electricity from renewable sources of energy. The assessment, which will cover any termination date for such support, will be published when completed.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider decoupling incentives for renewable energy sources from support given to nuclear energy.

Mr. Eggar

Proceeds from the levy on almost all sales of electricity to final customers in England and Wales are used to fund the supply of electricity from both nuclear and renewable sources. However, this support for nuclear is not given at the expense of that for renewables. My Department is in discussion with the European Commission about support for renewables after 1998.