§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of electricity has been produced in the United Kingdom by(a) nuclear, (b) fossil fuels, (c) renewables and (d) alternative energy sources in each year since 1997. [116193]
§ Mr. WilsonThe proportion of electricity supplied in the United Kingdom was as follows:
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Percentage of electricity supplied Fuel/Year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 12002 Nuclear 27 26 25 22 23 22 Fossil fuels2 70 70 71 74 74 74 Renewables3 2 2 3 3 2 3 Other3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Provisional. 2 Includes coal, oil and natural gas. 3 Includes hydro natural flow and net supply by pump storage stations. 4 Includes coke oven gas, blast furnace gas and waste products from chemical processes. Sources: Energy Trends, Table 5.1; Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2002, Table 5.6
§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of potential employment opportunities in the United Kingdom in the production of alternative energy. [116191]
§ Mr. WilsonRenewables UK, a DTI unit set up last year, is currently active in an analysis of current UK capability across the various technologies in the renewable energy sector. This will identify current and potential future employment opportunities.
This information will be part of a DTI report available in October 2003.
§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received concerning rural development opportunities in the UK associated with the development of alternative energy production. [116192]
§ Mr. WilsonI have received a number of written representations regarding rural development opportunities associated with the development of alternative energy production from organisations such as the Biofuels Alliance and their constituent member organisations (eg the Country Land and Business Association, and the National Farmers Union), and from BABFO. In addition British Biogen and the NFU were among those responding to the energy white paper consultation exercise. I plan to meet Mr. Ben Gill, the President of the National Farmers Union, on 16 July, to discuss rural development opportunities in the UK associated with the development of alternative energy production.