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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the likely changes in carbon emissions if all renewable electricity generators which have been approved, but are yet to enter service, replaced carbon emitting generators. [R] [178325] Mr. Timms: There is currently around 1700MW of renewable capacity approved but yet to enter service. This comprises 500MW of onshore wind and 1200MW of offshore wind as well as 20MW of hydro power. The change in carbon emissions associated with this level of new renewables capacity will depend on the assumption made about the type of carbon emitting generation which it replaces and the operational load factors associated with the renewables capacity. If new renewables capacity replaces gas-fired generation, which would otherwise have been built, then the reduction in emissions would amount to around 0.5 million tonnes of carbon per annum. If the new capacity is assumed to have replaced coal-fired generation then the change in emissions would amount to around 1.2 million tonnes of carbon per annum. These figures are based on the assumptions of a 30 per cent. load factor for onshore wind and 35 per cent. for offshore wind and hydro.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

178325; 422 c814-5W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Air pollution Coal fired power stations Carbon Gas fired power stations Pollution control Renewable energy Smoke and chimney gases Wind power Hydroelectric power

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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