asked Her Majesty's Government:
What views they have received from Ofgem on the use of subsidies for wind farms, and on their efficiency in lowering carbon dioxide emissions. [HL896]
Ofgem's response to the recent consultation on Reform of the Renewables Obligation (RO) included its views on the support provided by the RO for renewables in general but we have not received anything specifically on subsidies for wind farms or their efficiency in lowering carbon dioxide emissions. The views expressed by Ofgem are available from the BERR website1 and have been taken into account in formulating the Government's response to the consultation.
1 www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/renewables-obligation/key-stages/banding-ro/page42154.html
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What daily rate of installation of offshore wind turbines is envisaged in order to meet the Government's 25 gigawatt target for renewable power generation. [HL1033]
The Government do not have a target for 25 GW of renewable power generation.
In 2001, the Government set a target for 10 per cent of the UK's power generation from renewable sources by 2010. At the spring European Council in March 2007, EU Heads of Government agreed to a target to supply 20 per cent of the EU's energy—heat, electricity and transport—from renewable sources by 2020. Agreement has not yet been reached on the contribution that each member state will make towards this EU target.
On 10 December, the Government announced the launch of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on a draft plan for up to 25 GW (installed capacity) of new offshore wind farms by 2020. Depending on the results of the SEA and the magnitude of impacts identified, the Government will take a decision on what the acceptable level of offshore wind development is.
Developers would then be required to bid for site leases through leasing competitions to be held by the Crown Estate and, if successful, conduct their own site evaluations and undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment before applying for the necessary development and environmental consents to build an offshore wind farm.
The number of offshore wind turbines therefore required up to 2020 will depend on the outcome of the SEA, a future decision by the Government on the level of offshore wind generation, and on the size of turbines selected by developers for specific sites.