§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the potential energy generation from(a) off-shore wind turbines, (b) land-based wind turbines, (c) wave power and (d) other renewable sources; what proportion of the United Kingdom's annual electricity consumption this represents; and if he will make a statement. [144671]
§ Mrs. LiddellAn assessment of the prospects for the different forms of renewable energy in the UK is contained in a report produced at time of the Government's consultation on renewable energy in March 1999: "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects in the UK for the 21 Century: Supporting Analysis". A copy is in the Library of the House. The report presents different possible scenarios for the future of renewable energy in the UK.
Assessments are currently being carried out of potential renewable energy resources in each of the English regions, Scotland and Wales.
The Renewables Obligation will provide a sound framework for the long-term development of renewable energy in the UK. The Government have proposed targets of obtaining 5 per cent. of UK electricity supplies from renewable sources by the end of 2003 and 10 per cent. by 2010, subject to the cost being acceptable to consumers. The Government do not propose, however, to prescribe targets for each different form of renewable energy, as the balance between the different forms of renewable energy is a matter best determined by the market.