HC Deb 09 July 1996 vol 281 cc134-5W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when an announcement will be made on NFFO contracts for Northern Ireland. [35780]

Mr. Ancram

Consideration of the composition of a second non-fossil fuel obligation order is nearing completion. An announcement is likely to following within the next few weeks.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to(a) award NFFO contracts to a wide range of technologies and (b) support United Kingdom-based industry. [35753]

Mr. Ancram

The purpose of the non-fossil fuel obligation system is the promotion of renewable energy sources at low cost to electricity consumers. So Government made it clear in announcing the second NFFO competition in Northern Ireland on 1 November 1994, that (i) the size of the subsequent order would depend entirely on the quality and prices of the bids received; (ii) the competition would be open to all renewable technologies; and (iii) to maintain a balanced portfolio of renewables, the amount of wind power included in the order would be limited.

Since most of the 79 NFFO bids were from UK-based developers, the final composition of the order is likely to reflect broad support for UK-based industry.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the reason for delay in publishing details of successful NFFO bids. [35781]

Mr. Ancrarn

The second non-fossil fuel obligation competition in Northern Ireland was heavily subscribed with 79 applications. Though a most encouraging level of response, each project required both technical and financial appraisal, and this process took longer than anticipated.

Following completion of the appraisals the Department of Economic Development was then obliged to consult with both the Director General of Electricity Supply and Northern Ireland Electricity plc. This process has now been completed and an announcement is likely to follow within the next few weeks.