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Govt Must Put Renewables First

Posted: 29/11/2005

BWEA, the UK’s largest renewable industry association, representing wind and marine renewables, today welcomed Tony Blair’s announcement of a review of long-term energy policy and called on the Government to put renewables at the heart of any new policy. While most media discussion about the review has centred on the question of nuclear power, it is also essential that the Review sets Britain on course to utilise our huge strategic indigenous renewable resources, such as wind, wave and tidal stream.
 
The Energy White Paper of 2003 set an ‘aspiration’ that 20% of our electricity needs should come from renewables in 2020 with a target of 10% by 2010. Now is the time to turn that 2020 aspiration into a firm target, and ensure that the mechanisms are put in place to achieve it.
 
Beyond 2020, renewables will need to grow further if the longer-term target of cutting carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 is to be achieved. Apart from the environmental benefits of renewables, they are home grown, provide a secure energy supply, and have stable prices, thus helping insulate the UK from future energy shocks.
 
Marcus Rand, BWEA Chief Executive, commented: “This review creates a golden opportunity to put renewables at the heart of our energy future and establish a firm 20% by 2020 commitment for wind and renewables and lay out a clear path to deliver it. This review must be as much about delivering the potential of renewables as it is about deciding on new nuclear. 
 
The UK has made a strong start in the past few years in exploiting our massive wind resource, but this is only the start. Other renewables, like wave and tidal, can also make significant contributions over the coming decade if the right policies are put in place to rapidly commercialise and deploy them .
 
With extra support offshore wind can deliver significant amounts of power quickly, and with wave and tidal we have the chance to establish world-beating industries that can export to the rest of the world. As North Sea oil and gas run down, the UK’s seas can again provide this country with vital home-grown energy that is carbon-free and won’t run out.”

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