HC Deb 22 January 2002 vol 378 c776W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to place an obligation on suppliers to purchase from CHP units. [22602]

Mr. Meacher

Government have secured powers under the Utilities Act 2000 to introduce an obligation on suppliers to purchase electricity generated by CHP.

The Government hope that other measures to be outlined in the draft CHP strategy currently being finalised for consultation will be sufficient for CHP to compete effectively with other forms of electricity generation. If however it becomes clear that CHP is not able to compete effectively, the Government are prepared to examine the case for introducing a CHP Obligation.