§ 11. Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Trade and Industry regarding renewable energy production in Wales. [53155]
§ Mr. TouhigI meet my ministerial colleagues at the Department of Trade and Industry regularly to discuss a range of issues, including energy production in Wales.
My hon. Friend the Chancellor's Budget announcements contained a number of incentives for renewable energy production.
They include: enhanced capital allowances for business investment in energy saving technologies; exemption from the Climate Change Levy for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and coal mine methane projects; the first economy wide-emissions trading scheme; a fuel duty differential for sulphur free petrol and diesel; a fuel duty 168W exemption for hydrogen; lower duty for biodiesel; and a commitment to review the potential use of economic instruments to tackle household energy efficiency.
§ 24. Ian LucasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales to ensure that Wales plays its part in achieving the UK Government's target to produce 10 per cent. of the UK's energy from renewable sources by 2010. [53169]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI meet regularly with my ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues including renewable energy.
The overall target, for the UK, of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2010 is 10 per cent.
I am pleased to note that the Assembly's Economic Development Committee has recently launched a consultation paper on renewable energy. The committee will propose targets, for Wales, for both electricity production and heat production from renewable sources by 2010 and 2020, in the light of the responses to the consultation. These proposals will inform the National Assembly's development of a renewable policy for Wales.
I look forward to receiving the committee's final report.