§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for renewable energy schemes that will benefit the West Midlands. [126311]
§ Mr. TimmsWith DTI support the Government Office for the West Midlands is working with local government and private sector partners to promote and 707W support the development of renewable energy in the region. A number of renewable energy schemes are already under way. These include:
Under the Large Scale Field Trial Scheme, the DTI has supported the installation of Solar PV stands at the National Indoor Athletics Training Centre at the Alexander Stadium. This will provide 107 KWP rating surplus energy into the grid.Other projects will follow under the Major PV Demonstration programme.Two schemes were successfully completed in the 1st Round of Clear Skies Community Funding grants; One for solar thermal panels on a new build for Housing Association at Craven Arms, Shropshire and the installation of a biomass boiler at the National Trust supplying estate offices in Bridworth, Shropshire.Three Waste incineration projects at Birmingham, Stoke and Coventry with total operating capacity of 60MWA 25MW operating capacity landfill gas project at PackingtonA sewage gas site at Minworth in Birmingham operated by Severn Trent WaterSmall scale hydro schemes at Oswestry and TamworthIn addition, DEFRA officials, are working with project developers setting up biomass heating and power generation projects in the West Midlands under the DTFs New Opportunities Funds Bio-Energy Capital grants Scheme.