To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he was informed that Shell would be withdrawing from the London Array wind farm project. (204094)

[holding answer 8 May 2008]: The composition of the London Array Consortium is a commercial matter for the parties involved. A number of successful offshore wind projects have changed ownership in the past, and we would therefore anticipate that the London Array project should be able to proceed. The Secretary of State was informed in confidence that Shell were re-considering their involvement in the London Array project a short time before their public statement. As Shell made clear in their announcement, the decision was a commercial matter and not related to the availability of Government support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received from participants in the London Array wind farm project on (a) the operation of the renewable obligation certificates system and (b) the Government’s proposed changes to the system. (204095)

[holding answer 8 May 2008]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and his officials meet regularly with representatives from the offshore wind industry including members of the London Array consortium. These meetings are to discuss a range of issues surrounding the increased deployment of renewable generation in the UK, including planning, grid connection and changes to the Renewables Obligation (RO).

In addition the Government received 174 responses to the consultation on the reform of the RO which closed on 6 September 2007. This includes responses from members of the London Array consortium. Copies of all responses, except those who have requested confidentiality, can be found at:

www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/renewables-obligation/keystages/banding-ro/page42154