§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average percentage level of availability was for each(a) onshore and (b) offshore windfarm in the UK in the last year for which figures are available. [R] [147518]
§ Mr. TimmsFigures for average levels of availability for individual windfarms are not available for reasons of commercial confidentiality. However the most recent figures available show an average load factor of all UK windfarms as being 29.9 per cent. in 2002.
Separate figures for offshore windfarms are not yet available as UK's first major offshore windfarm at North Hoyle has only been operational since November last year. However, we would expect average load factors to be greater due to the superior offshore wind resource.
Source:
DUKES 2003 available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy-stats/renewables/index.shtml. Data for 2003 will become available in June 2003.