UK - Leaked draft government energy strategy ‘could endanger UK security of supply and even raise our carbon emissions.’

The leaked draft government energy strategy revealed in today’s Guardian reveals flawed thinking which would risk not only the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions but also the security of its domestic electricity supply.

Responding to the leaked report, Maria McCaffery, BWEA CEO said today:

“If adopted by government, this strategy could endanger UK security of supply and even raise our carbon emissions. Civil servants are wrong to advise ministers that the 20% renewable energy targets are unreachable; the renewables industry is ready to deliver 35% of the UK’s electricity supplies by 2020, given the right political framework.

“Without renewable energy, there will be no alternative to increasing UK dependency on carbon-generating gas imports from the former Soviet republics once existing UK nuclear and conventional power stations retire over the next few years. New nuclear generation will simply take too long to build to bridge the ‘energy gap.’

“The debate should be about how to overcome the remaining hurdles to delivery rather than documenting them as a reason for failure. As the effects of climate change continue to spiral and as the UK’s energy supplies become more insecure, 2007 is certainly not the time for the national Government to undermine investor confidence in the renewable energy sector.

Maria McCaffery, concluded:

“At this stage, the renewables industry is ready to judge Government on their actions rather than speculation but there is no doubt that these statements coming from inside government are threatening to destabilise the pioneering EU targets for 2020 and are potentially damaging to investor confidence in the UK renewables industry”.

If the government adopts the approach of the leaked report, it will undermine confidence from the renewables industry which is ready to invest over £45billion in the UK to deliver 35% of our electricity from proven renewable energy sources by 20201. The industry is ready and able to deliver on a massive scale with a range of proven and mature technologies at its disposal2.

For interviews and enquiries, please contact Chris Tomlinson, Director of Programme Strategy: 07815 141 008 / chris@bwea.com