Renewable Energy (Hansard, 4 December 2002)

§ Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the national base resource scenario for onshore wind targets is with regard to(a) minimum average wind speed, (b) maximum wind farm density, (c) spacing of the centres of the wind farms from each others and (d) minimum and maximum wind farm size. [84558]

§ Mr. Wilson
The UK windspeed database is available on the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/renewable/windspeed/online.html. The database contains estimates of the annual mean windspeed throughout the UK. The data is intended as a guide as on-site measurements are needed for a proper assessment of any individual site. It does not set scenarios for onshore wind targets.
The British Wind Energy Association estimates that wind turbines start operating at wind speeds of 4 to 5 metres per second (around 10 miles an hour) and reach maximum power output at around 15 meters/second (around 33 miles per hour). At very high wind speeds, i.e. gale force winds, (25 metres/second, 50+ miles/hour) wind turbines shut down.
Project specific matters such as wind farm density, spacing and size are issues for project developers to consider. All onshore wind farms are subject to the relevant planning regime and developers must seek consent to construct and operate wind farms from the relevant planning authorities. Decisions are taken on a case by case basis.

§ Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support the Government is providing for community combined heat and power schemes based on renewable energy. [85103]
844W

§ Mr. Wilson
The Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme, which is run jointly by DTI and the New Opportunities Fund with input from DEFRA, included funds for combined heat and power derived from biomass, in particular energy crops, in its recent call for proposals (which closed on 31 October).
DEFRA runs the £50 million Community Energy programme which encourages combined heat and power in community heating schemes through grants. Around one quarter of the successful bids to the programme have included the use of alternative or renewable fuels.

§ Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the Government's initiatives on educating(a) local authorities and (b) the public on the objectives of the national drive towards renewable energy generation; and how much funding is being dedicated to these initiatives. [85112]

§ Mr. Wilson
The Government are currently carrying out a review of future energy policy with a view to issuing a White Paper in the new year. As a part of this review they are considering the role of local authorities and the engagement of communities in the development of renewable energy.
Within the allocation of £2.5 million for renewables planning, Government Offices have included awareness raising events in their bids.

§ Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how host communities of renewable energy projects benefit in terms of revenue royalties from such projects; and what plans she has to introduce further royalty-based benefits for host communities of renewable energy projects. [85114]

§ Mr. Wilson
When the community owns and runs renewable energy installations, they can sell the resulting electricity or excess electricity (where the project provides their own source of electricity) or they can sell the resulting Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs). The Community Renewables Initiative is working on means to enable community schemes to aggregate their electricity generation in order to obtain ROCs and improve their viability.
Additionally, there will be a number of installations under the forthcoming DTI Community and Household Scheme and the joint DTI/New Opportunities Fund Biomass Grant Scheme which will be owned and run by the host community. Such schemes can also benefit through the sale of ROCs.
A number of communities also gain from leasing their land to developers of renewables projects (eg National Wind Power's Windworks scheme and a number of crofting schemes).
The Energy White Paper, due to be published early in the new year, will address a range of issues including the engagement of communities in renewable energy developments.