Written question asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Monday, 1 February 2010.

Climate Change

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering providing equal levels of financial support to nuclear and renewable energy sources, in order to meet the targets in the Climate Change Act 2008 and to ensure a secure and balanced range of non-fossil energy sources.

Answer: The renewables obligation provides a financial incentive to invest in renewables by placing an obligation on electricity suppliers to source a certain proportion of the electricity they sell to customers from renewable sources. The Government have been clear that it will be for energy companies to fund, develop and build new nuclear power stations in the UK, including meeting the full costs of decommissioning and their full share of waste management costs.

Secondary information