Peter Aldous today secured a commitment from Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Charles Hendry, to visit the Orbis Energy Centre in Lowestoft.

Aldous speaking in Thursdays Oral Questions on Energy and Climate Change in the House of Commons asked:

Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con): What steps he is taking to increase the level of private sector investment in offshore renewable energy.

The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry): We are committed to support for renewable electricity, through the establishment of a full system of feed-in tariffs—as well as the maintenance of a banded renewables obligation, with the aim of encouraging investment. The development of marine energy parks around the British coast will help promote rapid development of the sector. We are also consulting on a new licensing regime to facilitate the connection of offshore capacity to the national grid.

Peter Aldous: The Orbis energy centre in Lowestoft is the home of many businesses at the cutting edge of the new technologies that aim to capture the economic benefits of offshore wind, wave and tidal technologies. Will the Minister accept my invitation to visit Orbis to see for himself the vital role that those companies can play in the drive towards a low-carbon economy?

Charles Hendry: My hon. Friend has already established himself as an effective and vocal advocate for those interests in his constituency. I should be delighted to visit his constituency to understand more of the work that is being done, and the pioneering approach of his local businesses.

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