Commons Debate: Onshore Wind Sources

Below is an extract from Commons debate on on 16th December 2010. Charles Hendry anticipates 15GW of onshore wind capacity by 2020, but has not announced how it will be achieved.

15. Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): What targets he has set for the provision of energy from onshore wind sources in (a) 2011 and (b) 2020. [30979]

The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry): The Government have not set a specific target for onshore wind energy generation. However, our lead scenario as set out in the national renewable energy action plan indicates that onshore wind capacity could be 15 GW by 2020. We are absolutely committed to deploying onshore wind in a way that takes into account the views of local communities and brings benefits to local people.

Nic Dakin: I thank the Minister for his answer. I know he is very committed to onshore wind energy generation and I welcome his passion. When does he expect major announcements to be made by companies as part of the round 3 onshore wind programme?

Charles Hendry: I thank the hon. Gentleman for the assiduity with which he advocates the interests of the Humber region and the role it can play in that regard. I was pleased to meet him and some of my hon. Friends and people representing the South Humber gateway last week to enable me to understand the case they are putting forward in that respect. We are delighted that such companies as Siemens, GE and Mitsubishi have committed themselves to major multi-million pound investments in the offshore wind sector, and we understand that some of those announcements are due to be forthcoming early in the new year.