HC Deb 26 March 2004 vol 419 cc1113-4W
Miss McIntosh

: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the economic viability of electricity generated from wind farms. [163622]

Mr. Timms

: Modelling carried out to support the recent Innovation Review shows the current cost of onshore wind generation as 3.1–4 p/kWh expected to fall to ~2.5–3.2 p/k Wh by 2020 and offshore wind generation as 6.0–7.6 p/kWh expected to fall to ~3.0–4.6 p/kWh by 2020.

These costs are indicative and subject to variation as the economics of electricity generated from both onshore and offshore wind farms are dependent on the amount of wind at the wind farm site. Electricity generated by onshore and offshore wind farms is eligible for support under the Renewables Obligation.