To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the levels of carbon emissions relating to onshore windfarms. (86888)

I have been asked to reply.

Once a windfarm has been commissioned it produces no carbon emission.

Of the carbon used in the development of a windfarm, the Sustainable Development Commission’s report published November 2005 makes clear that “the energy pay back for a windfarm is 3-10 months.”

A copy of the full report can be downloaded from their website. http://www.sd-commission.org.uk