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10 Mar 2009 : Column 410W—continued
Nuclear Power Stations: Construction
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which sites under consideration for development for a new generation of nuclear power stations are (a) at or (b) near the present sea level. [256148]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 10 February 2009]: The Government response to the consultation on the strategic siting assessment (SSA) was published on 27 January. This set out that nominations of sites to be considered as part of the SSA are due by 31 March. Nominations will be published soon after, and the results of the SSA will be consulted on as part of the nuclear national policy statement, later in 2009.
Nuclear Safety Directorate
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals for restructuring the Nuclear Directorate; and what form he expects those proposals to take. [256851]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Government’s response to Dr. Stone’s recommendations, also published on 27 January, announced our agreement to restructure the HSE’s nuclear directorate through legislation. Officials are currently working up detailed proposals for this reform, on which we expect to consult in the summer.
Peers Interests
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether Ministers in his Department received representations from (a) Lord Moonie, (b) Lord Taylor of Blackburn, (c) Lord Snape and (d) Lord Truscott in the last seven months. [255241]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Since its creation on 3 October 2008, there is no record of Ministers in DECC having received representations from Lords Moonie, Snape or Taylor of Blackburn. In the same period, DECC has received one letter and three e-mails from Lord Truscott or his office, and sent one e-mail in reply concerning an invitation to me to address a meeting of members of the Royal United Services Institute on UK energy security issues. This proposed meeting was cancelled.
Renewable Energy
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps the Government are taking to help British businesses develop renewable energy technologies. [254904]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Government are supporting a wide range of measures to stimulate the development of a portfolio of energy technologies, including renewables such as wind; wave and tidal; microgeneration and photovoltaics; and bioenergy. Public sector spending on energy technology research, development and demonstration was around £151 million in 2007-08, of which some £81 million was spent on renewables.
The Government are also providing the market mechanisms and incentives to deploy these technologies. The Renewables Obligation (RO) currently provides all technologies with the same level of support. However, under reforms, to take effect—subject to parliamentary approval—on 1 April 2009, we are introducing measures to allow banding of the RO. This will provide the generation industry with greater incentive to develop and deploy those technologies which are currently further from commercial deployment.
We will also be introducing Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs) for small scale, low carbon electricity generation and a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) using powers bought in through the Energy Act 2008 to provide financial assistance to organisations installing renewable and low carbon energy generating technologies.
In addition my Department will be launching an Office for Renewable Energy Deployment (ORED). The ORED will have a strong role to play in tackling renewables deployment barriers related to grid, planning and the supply chain and raising public awareness.
We consulted last summer on how to meet the UK share of the EU 2020 target. Our UK renewable energy strategy consultation sought views on what more we can all do to ensure that the UK maximises business benefits, including UK jobs. We will respond to the consultation responses in the renewable energy strategy in spring this year, detailing an action plan for promoting further renewable deployment throughout the UK.
Street Lighting
Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the (a) financial and (b) environmental effects of introducing central monitoring systems for streetlights. [250762]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 26 January 2009]: We have made no assessment of the financial and environmental effects of introducing central monitoring systems (CMS) for street lights.
However, Ofgem’s open letter, issued in April 2008, sought views regarding whether it should seek to facilitate the development of CMS, acknowledging that some types of CMS could
“yield significant environmental and economic benefits..”
Although there was substantial stakeholder engagement with the consultation, there was no clear consensus on whether there was a need for the changes proposed. Ofgem is currently considering the way forward.
Warm Front Scheme
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reasons Eaga is not party to the contract for the supply of heating materials used in Warm Front scheme installations. [259286]
Joan Ruddock: The contract for the supply of heating materials is held between Eaga and the suppliers.
Warm Front Scheme: Essex
Mr. Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many complaints on the Warm Front scheme his Department and its predecessor have received from those resident in Essex since the inception of the scheme. [260380]
Joan Ruddock: Eaga plc records and monitors all complaints received about the scheme on DECC's behalf. They have recorded upheld complaints representing 0.5 per cent. of their clients. The recent NAO report recorded 5-6 per cent. dissatisfaction with the scheme.
Since the beginning of the current phase of Warm Front in 2005, 441 complaints have been registered in Essex. Of this number, 142 were upheld.
The Department has now put in place mechanisms to record complaints received directly, though robust data are not yet available.
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