Written question asked by Ben Chapman (Labour) on Friday, 17 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 October 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 October 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 14th September 2004, 4241 c1541W, on wind energy, what part of the energy used in wind farm manufacture gives rise to carbon dioxide; and in what amounts. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 14 September, Official Report, column 1541W, on wind energy, what part of the energy used in wind farm manufacture gives rise to carbon dioxide; and in what amounts. [189693] Mr. Mike O'Brien: Most aspects of the manufacture and installation of a wind turbine gives rise to carbon dioxide, which is the same for any other forms of energy production. There are no definitive studies which show this figure across wind farm manufacture, however, the British Cement Association, calculated the amount of carbon dioxide produced in a single foundation of a 2.5MW wind turbine. Approximately 46 tonnes of carbon dioxide is produced for each turbine, but when this is compared to the annual savings of carbon dioxide, the pay back time is three days.

Secondary information