Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect on trade and investment of ending new subsidies for onshore wind in relation to the Renewables Obligation.

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 for the UK to meet its 2020 renewable commitments. The grace period arrangements that we have proposed are intended to protect investor confidence in the wider renewable sector and balance the interests of onshore wind developers with consumers, who pay the cost of renewable electricity generation through their energy bill.

DECC will continue to engage with developers, investors and stakeholders as we 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.