§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of exempting(a) hydro power and (b) non-nuclear and non-fossil fuel generated electricity from the climate change levy in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK. [131588]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 24 July 2000]: The initial cost of exempting small scale hydro electric power and non-nuclear/non-fossil fuel generated electricity from the Climate Change Levy is estimated to be around £20 million in a full year. The exact cost of the exemption in future years will depend on the speed of progress made towards the Government's target of generating 5 per cent. of electricity from renewable sources by 2003. Separate estimates for Scotland are not available.