UK is falling short of its renewable targets
The UK is expected to fall well short of a 30 per cent share of renewables in electricity generation outlined by the European Commission, according to a report by Cambridge Econometrics. As a result of missing the targets, the report predicts the UK will need to purchase EU Allowances equivalent to an annual average of 22 million tonnes of CO2 in the third carbon budget period (2018-22).
In another blow to the UK’s existing state of renewable energy, The Secretary of State for energy Chris Huhne labelled the current level of electricity being generated from renewable sources in the UK a "scandal". The UK produces just 6.6% of electricity from renewable energy sources and lies second from bottom in the class of all 27 member states in attainment from renewables.
This is partly due to the length of time certain renewable projects take to get through the planning application process. Onshore wind farms, for example, currently take around 26 months to be approved, a more realistic timeframe would be four months (16 weeks). This is the average length of time for the majority of major developments, such as supermarkets, housing estates and roads.
The UK is said to have considerable potential to take advantage of renewable energy. The Offshore Valuation report 2010, published last week, pointed to the UK’s enormous potential when it comes to renewables produced through wind power, tidal power and wave power.
In order to harness this potential, Mr Huhne said the UK needs an institutional framework and believes this may involve using the Energy and Green Economy Bill set out in the Queen's Speech.
Responding to Mr Huhne's comments, Maria McCaffery, chief executive of RenewableUK welcomed the plans to introduce a new Energy Bill and the focus on promoting low carbon energy production. McCaffery also highlighted the need for a grid system that can cope with the energy demands of the 21st century.
It is essential that we show our support for renewable energy, to ensure renewable energy projects and initiatives continue to develop. The WIMBY campaign allows those in support of wind farms to lobby local MPs and encourage support of proposed wind farms in their area. To register, visit our homepage www.embracemyplanet.com and click on the green and pink buttons.
Source: http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/uk-will-miss-renewable-electri.php
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Comments
And that's the problem - it's the WRONG TARGET!!
Stop setting a target to PRODUCE ELRCTRICITY and instead set a target to reduce CO2 !!
THEN we might have some sensible policies come from it! instead of a bunch of money grabbing (from YOUR POCKET) WIMBY'S
Producing an increased proportion of our electricity from renewables will result in CO2 reductions, as they'll be displacing fossil fuel plants rather than nuclear - renewables are more suited to supplying peak demand than the base load generation nuclear produces.
Matthieu, please don't insult other users of this site - signing the WIMBY pledge does not mean you're receiving money from wind energy, and the vast majority of WIMBYs so far have nothing to do with the industry. Further insults will result in you being banned.