Combined Heat and Power (Hansard, 8 April 2003)

§ Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what role she plans for micro combined heat and power in achieving carbon savings up to 2010; [106800]

(2) what role she plans for micro combined heat and power in the achievement of Government objectives in (a) the Climate Change strategy, (b) the fuel poverty strategy and (c) the Energy White Paper, in so far as they relate to her Department; and if she will make a statement; [106857]

(3) if she will make a statement on the Performance and Innovation Unit"s assessment contained in Table 6.1 of its report on Energy Policy that micro combined heat and power is the most efficient method of carbon saving; [106802]

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(4) what assessment she has made of the possible CO² savings that could be secured by the installation of micro combined heat and power in (a) residential properties, (b) small businesses and (c) commercial properties; [106801]

(5) what role she plans for micro combined heat and power in (a) CO₂ reduction policies and (b) policies to end fuel poverty. [106799]

§ Mr. Morley

The Government is keen to encourage the development and deployment of low carbon technologies including micro CHP. As the Performance and Innovation Unit Report on energy policy noted, micro CHP has the potential to deliver carbon savings towards the targets in both the Climate Change Programme and the Energy White Paper. It might also be able to deliver lower fuel bills for consumers which in turn could contribute to meeting the Government"s targets in its Fuel Poverty Strategy.

However, the technology is not yet commercially available in the UK. It is therefore not yet possible to assess the level of carbon or fuel bill savings which might be achieved in normal use of this technology. I understand that The Carbon Trust, working with the Energy Saving Trust and others, including Defra, will be commissioning a pilot field trial for micro CHP starting later this year. I understand the trial is expected to feature a range of technologies and end use applications across the residential and commercial sectors, in order to provide an objective assessment of the benefits that micro CHP can offer.