§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money the Government plan to spend on promoting the generation of electricity in the year 2002–03. [7328]
§ Mr. WilsonGovernment action to promote the generation of electricity is directed to the sustainable energy sector. Subject to market circumstances, support from the Renewables Obligation and Scottish Obligation could be worth up to £282 million in 2002–03, and continuing support for the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) and its Scottish equivalent up to £167 million.
The Government's proposed budget for 2002–03 for our sustainable energy research and development programme is £18.5 million.
A proportion of direct Government spending on capital grants and other support schemes for renewable energy will also occur in 2002–03. The cost of these schemes over a three-year period is expected to exceed £200 million.
Exempting renewable energy from the Climate Change Levy will save the renewable energy industry an estimated £24 million in 2002–03.