Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 March 2007.

Energy: Biofuels

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What evidence they require from biofuels plants that qualify for enhanced capital allowances of significant carbon dioxide emission savings; and whether this evidence is publicly available.

Answer: ECAs were first introduced for a range of energy-saving technologies in 2001. The qualifying technologies are specified in the Energy Technology List (ETL) published by Defra. The ETL includes a product list that lists the products that meet the energy-saving criteria. This gives businesses certainty that if they buy a piece of machinery when it is on the list, they can claim the allowances. Providing ECAs for tailor-made installations, such as biofuel plants, rather than an individual piece of equipment requires a different approach. For example, in the case of combined heat and power (CHP) plants, to qualify spending must be certified as being incurred on ““good quality”” CHP. Accreditation is carried out by the CHP quality assurance programme (CHPQA) on behalf of Defra. The ETL includes a criteria list that lists the equipment making up a CHP installation that can qualify for ECAs.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2605; 690 c273-4WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Carbon dioxide Biofuels Capital allowances Equipment Pollution control Production
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk