HC Deb 13 February 2004 vol 418 cc60-1W
Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what energy innovation breakthroughs have been made in the United Kingdom since the publication of the Energy White Paper in February 2003. [155022]

Mr. Timms

Technological progress tends to follow an incremental path and major breakthroughs are less common. Notable events since February 2003 in relation to energy innovation include the commissioning of the UK's first large offshore wind farm (60MW) at North Hoyle, North Wales, the launch of the SUPERGEN sustainable energy research initiative, and the opening in the UK of the first marine energy test centre in Europe, which will help develop key tidal and wave technologies with support from DTI and others, including the Scottish Executive.