Renewable energy will 'meet only 10%' of UK's power needs
24Dash.com|July 6, 2006
Renewable energy will only meet 10% of the UK's power needs by 2020, half the Government's aim, according to a new report today.
Renewable energy will only meet 10% of the UK's power needs by 2020, half the Government's aim, according to a new report today.
The Carbon Trust said wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy was being failed by official policies.
Targets were being missed and the cost of installing renewable energy sources was higher than necessary, according to the group.
The trust called for a renewed push to promote renewable energy and said it was still possible it could meet almost one-fifth of energy needs by 2020.
Offshore wind in particular offered "significant potential" to help fill the gap caused by a reduction in coal and nuclear power.
Renewable technologies should also be given more support, said the trust, which campaigned to cut carbon emissions.
Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust, said: "Renewable energy needs a better support …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]The Carbon Trust said wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy was being failed by official policies.
Targets were being missed and the cost of installing renewable energy sources was higher than necessary, according to the group.
The trust called for a renewed push to promote renewable energy and said it was still possible it could meet almost one-fifth of energy needs by 2020.
Offshore wind in particular offered "significant potential" to help fill the gap caused by a reduction in coal and nuclear power.
Renewable technologies should also be given more support, said the trust, which campaigned to cut carbon emissions.
Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust, said: "Renewable energy needs a better support framework in place to bring down costs.
"If we get the right framework in place we can reap the benefits of reduced carbon emissions and strengthened energy security."
The report said that if the UK gave wave energy better support it could develop an export industry worth up to £4 billion a year by 2050.
A Department for Trade and Industry spokesman said its targets were "deliberately ambitious".
Figures show the proportion of renewables broke the 4% barrier last year, including the largest increase in new wind energy, almost double the previous year, he said.
"There are now more than 1,500 wind turbines in 125 locations producing enough power for almost 900,000 homes. That is far from a failed policy."
He added: "The forthcoming Energy Review is focused on low carbon energy and will reinforce our strong support for renewables as vital to reducing our carbon emissions and diversifying our energy mix."