§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to facilitate the(a) decommissioning, (b) upkeep and (c) removal of (i) turbines and (ii) transmission facilities from wind farms; and if she will make a statement. [155478]
§ Mr. TimmsThe decommissioning, upkeep and removal of turbines and transmission facilities from wind farms and the restoration of the land are matters for the developer and the relevant planning authorities with appropriate arrangements for these activities being agreed at the planning stage.
§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on Government financial support to firms looking to establish wind farms. [155479]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Government's main instrument for supporting the establishment of wind farms is the Renewables Obligation. The Obligation is a market based support mechanism that requires licensed electricity suppliers to provide a specified proportion of their electricity from renewable sources. This provides an assured market for renewable electricity and that it attracts a premium.
To date, the Government have committed £117 million in grant support to early offshore wind farm development. No direct grant support is provided for onshore wind farm development except for some small household or community installations under the Clear Skies scheme.
§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive on planning policies for wind farms. [155480]
§ Mr. TimmsPlanning policy in Scotland is a matter devolved to the Scottish Executive and therefore no such discussions have taken place.
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