Crispin Blunt

Conservative Party | Reigate

DTI questions on Energy White Paper

Mr. Crispin Blunt (Reigate): The Secretary of State will know David Green, who is a member of the Government's energy advisory panel, and who said:

"There is a complete absence in the White Paper of any significant new measures to reduce the damage done to Britain's green generators over the last three years by weak and inconsistent delivery of the Government's policies".

How on earth has he come to that conclusion?

Ms Hewitt: The energy White Paper not only confirms the Government's commitment to the target of installing 10,000 MW of good quality combined heat and power by 2010, but sets out several new measures to support CHP. State aid approval for the exemption of CHP electricity from the climate change levy—a policy for which David Green strongly pressed—has now been given. It is frustrating that it took some time to get that state aid exemption, but it will undoubtedly help. Although I well understand the frustration of CHP producers—although not necessarily consumers—about falling electricity prices, we are on target to meet the 2010 target for good-quality CHP.

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