UK - BWEA CEO says wind and renewables must be at heart of Energy Review

BWEA Chief Executive Marcus Rand has today outlined the key messages of the UK's largest renewable industry association as the public phase of the Government's Energy Review is launched:

1. "This Energy Review is a tremendous opportunity for the UK to respond positively to the dual challenge of addressing climate change whilst keeping the lights on in Britain, as set out in the Energy White Paper.

2. It is essential that wind and renewables are at the heart of the Energy Review, and that Britain is set firmly on course to utilise our huge natural resources, such as wind, wave and tidal stream.

3. BWEA is confident that wind and marine renewables will play a leading role in delivering 20% of this country’s electricity needs by 2020."

BWEA is the longest established renewables trade association in the UK, formed in 1978 to represent companies active in the UK wind sector. BWEA recently expanded its mission to champion the emerging wave and tidal sectors, recognising the synergies of deployment and policy and also member companies' interest in this growth industry. With over 300 companies in membership, BWEA is leading the UK debate on wind energy and marine renewables.

For further information please contact:

Alison Hill, Head of Communications BWEA, on 020 7689 1966 or alison@bwea.com

Full details of the Energy Review consultation can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review/

Key industry facts:
· 2005 was a record year for wind industry with 446 new meagwatts (MW) of wind energy installed, including 90 MW offshore, representing a 50% increase in total generation capacity on the previous year
· 2005 saw the UK break the landmark one gigawatt (1,000 MW) of wind energy – one of only eight countries around the world to have done so
· Wind energy in the UK currently generates 3.6 TWh, around 1% UK supply, from a total of 1334 MW installed (213 of which is offshore), from 1445 turbines (92 offshore)
· This is equivalent to the average annual electricity needs of 750,000 homes
· This displaces the emission of over 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year
· The NOP Wind Tracker, a regular assessment of public attitudes to wind energy in the UK, shows that an average 78% of the public agree that wind energy is necessary to help us meet current and future energy needs in the UK

BWEA is the professional association championing the UK wind and marine renewables industry, representing 300 companies active in the sector. See www.bwea.com for more information.