§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money is being spent in 2003–04 from the Government subsidy to electricity generation companies on the construction and operation of wind farms. [164086]
§ Mr. TimmsIn financial year 2003–04, the Government spent £5 million to support one offshore wind farm development. No direct support was provided for onshore wind farm development except for some small household or community installations under the Clear Skies scheme.
Support provided through the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation and the Renewables Obligation are not Government subsidies.
§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list each(a) existing and (b) proposed onshore wind farm, broken down by constituency. [164647]
§ Mr. TimmsProposals to construct and operate on-shore generating stations with a capacity greater than 50 megawatts (MW) in England and Wales require my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
The information for applications made under section 36 for proposed on-shore wind farms is is as follows:
Approved but not yet constructed
- Cefn Croes— Ceredigion (consented May 2002)
Still under consideration
- Little Cheyne Court—Folkestone and Hythe
- Scout Moor—Heywood and Middleton, Rossendale and Darwen
- Whinash—Penrith and The Border
- Keadby—Brigg and Goole, Doncaster North
- Tween Bridge——Doncaster North, Don Valley
Consents for generating stations in Scotland are a matter for the devolved administration. Central Government do not hold records of proposals for on-shore wind farms below 50MW as these fall to be determined by the local planning authority under the normal planning regime.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money the Government have spent on publicising the role of wind farms in each year since 1997. [164087]
§ Mr. TimmsThe DTI's Renewable Energy Programme publishes a quarterly newsletter, New Review. The publication contains information on technical developments, business opportunities and other issues affecting all the renewables industry not just wind. The newsletter has several thousand subscribers from a range of backgrounds, including the1370W renewables industry, Government, education, finance and consultancy. Since 1997 the average cost per annum has been in the region of £100,000.
The Government recently announced a new campaign to raise awareness of the renewable energy sector not just wind. The campaign—"It's Only Natural"—will seek to inform planners, investors and the wider community of the potential and benefits of renewable energy not just wind. The £2 million (spend over 18 months) campaign will target planners and investors through a number of channels, including workshops, a conference, media initiatives and a website.