HL Deb 11 October 1999 vol 605 c50WA
Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they intend to treat electricity generated from wind energy under the current review of electricity trading arrangements. [HL4039]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

We do not intend to require licence-exempt generating plants (i.e. those which have a capacity of below 50 megawatts, or a capacity of up to 100 megawatts of which less than 10 per cent. is exported) to participate directly in the new trading arrangements. All current wind generators would fall into this category. Exempt generating plants will still be exposed to imbalance charges, but only indirectly, through the suppliers with which they contract.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets published a consultation document The New Electricity Trading Arrangements on 31 July setting out detailed proposals for the new wholesale electricity trading arrangements in England and Wales. It contains further details about the proposed treatment of the generation of electricity from renewable sources.