HC Deb 26 January 1998 vol 305 cc57-8W
Mr. Bill O'Brien

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what sums have been spent on the provision of renewable energy in the last financial year, giving details of each source of renewable energy. [24966]

Mr. Battle

Provision of electricity from renewable sources is primarily supported through the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO), funded by a fossil fuel levy placed on electricity consumers. At 31 December 1997, 221 NFFO renewable energy projects in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were operational, comprising 507 MW of electricity generating capacity. My policy proposals for a fifth (NFFO-5) Renewals Order for England and Wales were announced in November last year and I expect to make a NFFO-5 Order towards the end of 1998.

Use of levy receipts for renewables amounted to £109 million in the financial year 1996–97. A breakdown of levy expenditure is as shown.

£ million
Renewable energy source Levy receipts
Landfill gas 20.8
Hydro 2.0
Sewage gas 7.9
Waste incineration 28.2
Wind 35.8
Other (mainly poultry litter and tyre burning) 14.3
Total 109.0

The DTI's new and renewable energy programme supports research, development, demonstration and technology transfer activities. Net expenditure on the programme in 1996–97 was £14.8 million. A breakdown of programme expenditure is as shown.

£ million
New and renewables 1996–97
Biofuels 2.7
Fuel cells 1.0
Hydro 0.15
Solar 2.0
Wind 2.5
Technology, transfer, programme management, strategy and evaluation and other technologies 6.5
Total 14.8

In addition, Government support or academic research is provided through the programmes of the Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and support has also been provided for the Foresight SCOLAR photovoltaic programme.

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