Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she plans to take to develop the potential for on-shore wind in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency; and how she plans to take account of that potential in reviewing on-shore wind subsidies.

Onshore wind has made a valuable contribution to the UK energy mix in recent years but has now reached the point where there is enough capacity in the pipeline to help the UK meet its 2020 renewable commitments. The grace period arrangements that we have proposed are intended to protect investor confidence in the wider renewables sector and balance the interests of onshore wind developers with consumers, who pay the cost of onshore wind generation through their energy bill. DECC will continue to engage with developers, investors and stakeholders as we to implement the manifesto commitment. We will consider carefully the level of investment that developers are likely to bring forward under the proposals announced by my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 18 June.