§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets she has set in relation to the creation of energy by the use of biomass. [84197]
§ Mr. MeacherTargets in respect of the Government's support for biomass are generally linked to the potential to contribute to climate change savings and the implications for the rural economy. In the energy crops scheme, part of the England Rural Development Programme, we have funding of £29 million which could see around 20,000 hectares of crops planted. Each hectare of biomass crops yielding the equivalent of 8 tonnes per annum will save 2 tonnes of carbon per annum. Purpose grown energy crops and other biomass will provide feedstocks for the projects developed under 649W the bio-energy capital grants scheme from which we expect electricity generation of up to 120MW in addition to the development of combined heat and power and heat only projects.