Electricity Market Reform Debate

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Electricity Market Reform

William Bain Excerpts
Tuesday 12th July 2011

(12 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Huhne Portrait Chris Huhne
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I agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of community schemes. That message has come clearly from the successful schemes, particularly those north of the border. He is absolutely right to point out that when the community has a clear stake in a proposal, it is much more likely to back it.

William Bain Portrait Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab)
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The United Nations Environment Programme has found that investment in large-scale renewables in China reached $49 billion last year, whereas in Europe it fell by 22% to $35 billion. Where will the Secretary of State find the capital to drive the expansion in the offshore wind sector, given that the green investment bank is having its borrowing and lending powers so badly restricted by the Treasury?