§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on legally-binding targets for renewables in the EU; and if he will make a statement. [86859]
§ Mr. BattleI have received letters from Greenpeace, RSPB and Climate Network Europe.
The adoption of targets can assist in promoting the greater use of renewable energy. In the UK, we are working towards a target of 10 per cent. electricity from renewables as soon as possible. We hope to achieve this by 2010. Other member states have set their own targets.
166WSupport schemes for renewables should be designed to operate in the most cost-effective way possible. This will require the introduction, in due course, of a system which promotes competition between renewables providers, in order to ensure that costs are driven down as far as is practicable. I want to see renewables come in from the margins into the mainstream, and I believe that competition-based schemes are the right way we will achieve this.
I remain committed to the promotion of renewables. I pressed the case at the Energy Council on 11 May, called for action by the Commission, and sought to persuade all member states to implement national strategies to increase significantly the contribution of renewables to Europe's energy supply.