§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the Government's role in encouraging the manufacture of renewable energy equipment in the United Kingdom. [85105]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Renewables Obligation, which the Government introduced on 1 April 2002, is being backed by nearly £250 million of direct support measures to bring forward newer renewable energy technologies. In addition, in order to foster innovative research and development activity, the Government have increased provision for the New and Renewable Energy R&D programme to £19 million per year.
This provides a substantial incentive to renewable energy generation in the UK, and creates a favourable climate too, for the expansion of renewable energy equipment and services.
In March, the Government set up a new unit, Renewables UK, to maximise the UK's involvement in renewable energy projects in the UK and overseas. Renewables UK aims to encourage the UK renewable 541W energy sector, including equipment manufacturers and service providers, to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Renewables Obligation.
Renewables UK will be conducting a gap analysis to help define which technologies offer the best prospects for growth in UK manufacturing.