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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans there are to (a) establish a national energy research centre and (b) encourage the research and development of new energy technologies. [103549] Mr. Wilson :[holding answer 20 March 2003]: The information is as follows: (a) The Research Councils are developing proposals for a new UK energy research centre as part of the new £28 million cross-Council programme "Towards a Sustainable Energy Economy". The councils intend that the centre will be established by 1 April 2004. They announced a call for expressions of interest to operate the centre on 18 March 2003. Further information is available from: www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/programmes/ sustenergy. (b) A programme to support renewables is already in place and is worth £250 million between 2002-03 and 2005-06. The 2002, Spending Review also allocated an additional £38 million for energy policy objectives in 2005-06 compared with 2002-03. This will now be increased by a further £60 million. The programme comprises a range of measures, including funding for R&D and demonstration projects, to accelerate the uptake of renewables. The Carbon Trust, which leads on low-carbon technology and innovation, is spending £75 million over the next three years to support R&D, development and other activities to bring forward new and emerging technologies. Funding for energy- related technology has also been available via the DTI's Innovation and Business Support programmes and though various European programmes. The Research Councils will spend over £11 million on energy related research in 2002-03 and have been allocated an additional £28 million under the 2002 Spending Review for further research in support of a sustainable energy economy, including the establishment of the UK energy research centre.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

103549; 402 c30W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Energy Sustainable development Technology Research Research councils Carbon Trust

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk