HC Deb 22 June 1993 vol 227 cc135-7W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what electricity generating capacity from renewable resources his Department is committed to underwrite financially for the United Kingdom as a whole by the year 2000;

(2) when he expects to publish his renewable energy strategy review document.

Mr. Eggar

The Government are committed to working towards new renewables generated capacity of 1500 MW (DNC) by 2000 and will publish a renewable energy strategy review document later this year, in the light of the report of the Renewable Energy Advisory Group and the coal review. I expect to make an announcement on future NFFO arrangements in due course.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of discussions between his Department and the EC Commission concerning the extension of non-fossil fuel obligation funding for renewables beyond 1998.

Mr. Eggar

Discussions with the European Commission are continuing.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the President of the Board of Trade for the last five years, what percentage of(a) total electricity supply, (b) total electricity generating capacity and (c) primary energy supply was supplied by renewable energy sources; what proportion of renewable capacity received non-fossil fuel obligation funding; and what percentage of his Department's energy research budget was allocated to (i) nuclear research projects and (ii) renewables research.

Mr. Eggar

The information requested is as follows:

The percentage of total electricity supply generated by renewables over the last five years is as follows:

per cent.
1988 1.9
1989 1.8
1990 1.9
1991 1.7
1992 2.1

The percentage of total electricity generating capacity which has been accounted for by renewables over the last five years is as follows:

per cent.
1988 2.2
1989 2.1
1990 2.1
1991 2.2
1992 2.6

The percentage of primary energy supply generated by renewables over the last five years is as follows:

per cent.
1988 0.8
1989 0.8
1990 0.9
1991 0.8
1992 0.9

Source:United Kingdom digest of energy statistics, 1991 and 1992.

Since the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation was introduced in 1990, the proportion of renewables capacity receiving NFFO funding has risen to around 12 per cent. (as at 31 March 1993).

The percentage of my Department's energy research budget spent on nuclear and renewables is as follows:

Nuclear Renewables
1987–88 79.9 9.1
1988–89 83.8 8.6
1989–90 79.8 10–8
1990–91 69.6 13.1
1991–92 72.0 19.0

Source: Annual review of Government funded research and development, 1990 and 1992.