Lord Carlile of Berriewasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy in relation to the use of water for the generation of electricity in Wales. [HL1333]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The Government's policy is to maximise the contribution that hydrogeneration, and indeed all forms of renewable energy, can make to electricity production in Wales and more widely in the UK. Generating stations eligible under the Renewables Obligation include very small hydro stations of 1.25 MW DNC or less and also stations between 1.25 MW DNC and 20MW DNC commissioned before 1 January 1990, provided that they have been refurbished after that date. Output from such stations is eligible for renewable obligation certificates.
Under its renewable energy programme, the DTI is providing funding of up to £1.6 million to a Pembrokeshire-based company, Tidal Hydraulic Generators, to develop tidal-stream technology.
The Government will shortly be publishing an energy White Paper which will include the role of renewable energy in a low-carbon economy.