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  • Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what research her Department has conducted or commissioned on the effect of the early closure of the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation to new onshore wind projects in Northern Ireland.

    Andrea Leadsom

    With certain limited exceptions, Energy Policy is devolved to Northern Ireland. Closure of the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation is therefore a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.

  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what (a) modelling or (b) other assumptions her Department used to determine the export fractions for hydropower feed-in tariffs.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The export fractions used to model tariffs were determined using evidence submitted during the feed-in tariffs (FITs) review consultation as well as data gathered by Parsons Brinckerhoff in advance of the consultation. More detailed information on how export fractions were determined is included in the impact assessment published alongside the response to the FITs review.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486084/IA_-_FITs_consultation_response_with_Annexes_-_FINAL_SIGNED.pdf

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  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, which operating costs were included by her Department for full operation of a hydropower scheme for the purposes of modelling its feed-in tariff scheme.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The operating costs included for hydropower schemes aim to capture those costs faced by a developer that are strictly related to the operation of a hydropower plant; this is consistent with the approach taken across other support mechanisms, including the renewables obligation (RO).

    The detailed consideration of operating costs is set out in the impact assessment accompanying the response to the feed-in tariffs review.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486084/IA_-_FITs_consultation_response_with_Annexes_-_FINAL_SIGNED.pdf.

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  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what modelling was used when calculating a new rate of return of 9.2 per cent from hydropower with reduced feed-in tariff levels.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The modelling used to deliver a rate of return of 9.2% is based on discounted cash flows of a hydro plant’s cost and revenue streams, which is the approach often used by investors to evaluate opportunities. The capital and operational costs are calculated over the expected lifetime of the project and are compared with the expected revenue streams of a well-sited installation. The generation tariff makes up the difference over and above the income streams that a plant would need to hit its target rate of return. The rate of return is achieved based on a project having an average (median) capital and operating cost, and a high level of generating output (higher than average load factor). The level of return is aimed at attracting those investors with lower hurdle rates, such as individuals, communities and small scale organisations, which the FITs scheme targets.

    The impact assessment, published alongside the response to the feed-in tariffs review, sets out in more detail how rates of return were calculated:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486084/IA_-_FITs_consultation_response_with_Annexes_-_FINAL_SIGNED.pdf.

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  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when she last met the British Hydropower Association to discuss the calculation of feed-in tariffs for the hydropower industry; and what recent representations she has received on this matter.

    Andrea Leadsom

    The BHA attended a round table I hosted in September 2015 to discuss the feed-in tariff (FIT) review. My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met the BHA in her previous role as Energy Minister in March 2015. DECC officials have met the BHA several times during the course of the FIT review consultation and members of the BHA contributed to a number of stakeholder meetings and discussions on the detail of the FIT review proposals during the same period. DECC officials have met the BHA again since publication of the Government response on the FIT review to discuss the methodology for setting feed-in tariffs for hydropower plants. The BHA have since written to the Secretary of State to raise concerns about the outcome of the FIT review for hydropower; we are considering the points raised and will respond shortly.

  • David Anderson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    David Anderson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Anderson on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what proportion of coal burnt in UK coal-fired power stations came from Colombia in 2015.

    Andrea Leadsom

    Full year figures for 2015 are not currently available. In the first 9 months of 2015 (January to September) 1, 32% of imported steam coal, which is predominately used by power stations, came from Columbia.

    [1] Coal Imports ET2.4: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/487870/ET_Dec_15.pdf

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  • Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Andrew Rosindell – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2016, what steps her Department is taking to encourage the development and implementation of low carbon hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure in the UK.

    Andrea Leadsom

    Through the Energy Innovation Programme, DECC is supporting development of hydrogen fuel cell technologies. These technologies may deliver low cost, low carbon heat and power at high efficiency to homes. Following DECC funded technology development, Ceres Power, a UK based company, has recently announced an agreement with Honda R & D Ltd based in Japan, to jointly develop Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for a range of potential power equipment applications. Most current domestic fuel cell technologies can operate on natural gas but will offer better performance, and result in lower GHG emissions, if natural gas is replaced with hydrogen.

  • Geoffrey Cox – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Geoffrey Cox – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Geoffrey Cox on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the blanket ban on bass on the North Devon fishing industry.

    George Eustice

    I refer my hon. Friend to the reply previously given on 22 January 2016, PQ UIN 22346.

  • Greg Mulholland – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Greg Mulholland – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of businesses in Leeds who (a) applied and (b) were deemed eligible for the (i) business recovery grant, (ii) business rates relief and (c) Flood Resilience-Resistance grant since flooding over Christmas 2015.

    James Wharton

    Leeds City Council has to date received £4.7 million from the Community and Business Relief Scheme with more funding to follow once property numbers are finalised. Central Government will fully fund 100% Business Rates relief for a minimum of 3 months for any flooded business that meets the eligibility criteria. To date, Leeds City Council has received an advance payment of £586,863 for Business Rates relief.

    Shortly, we will be asking affected local authorities to provide data on how they have used their funding, but our task currently is to do everything we can to help towns and communities recover from these devastating floods.

  • Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Jim Shannon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-02-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of dogs put down because they could not be rehomed in each of the last five years.

    George Eustice

    Statistics of dogs put down because they could not be re-homed are not held by central Government. However, Dogs Trust carry out an annual survey of local authorities. The attached table is taken from information from the last five Dogs Trust surveys.

    Apr 2014 – Mar 2015 – 5,142

    Apr 2013 – Mar 2014 – 7,058

    Apr 2012 – Mar 2013 – 7,319

    Apr 2011 – Mar 2012 – 8,903

    Apr 2010 – Mar 2011 – 7,121