The government's renewable energy policy has come under fire for the second time in as many days after a report from an influential committee of MPs described the UK's current renewable energy targets as "wholly inadequate".
The report from the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee follows a similar study released yesterday by the Renewables Advisory Board which warned that a major overhaul of government policy is required if it is even to get close to meeting the 2020 target of ensuring 15 per cent of energy comes from renewable sources.
The Select Committee report advises that it is essential for the government to revise its renewable energy targets to fall into line with the EU's requirements. Currently, UK targets require 20 per cent of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020, but the EU target applies to energy. This means that more than 35 per cent of electricity will have to come from renewable sources to compensate for the limited amount of renewable heat energy that is likely to be generated.
It also urges the government to work more closely with the renewable energy industry to develop a more "coherent" policy framework, claiming that developers are hampered by "a crowded funding landscape, a protracted – and often costly – planning system, and a poorly conceived regime for accessing the UK electricity transmission system," as well as a burgeoning skills crisis.
Moreover, the committee said it was "disappointed" by the government's attempts to lower the 15 per cent target, primarily by lobbying Brussels to allow investments in clean energy technologies outside the UK to count towards the target.
Friends of the Earth’s energy campaigner Robin Webster welcomed the report, adding that it further increased pressure on the government "to deliver a strong green energy strategy instead of trying to wriggle out of EU renewable energy targets".
Energy secretary John Hutton said the government remained committed to meeting the 15 per cent target, adding that it was on schedule to launch a consultation this summer on how to attain the target with a view to publishing full plans next spring.
BERR officials accused of lobbying to water down targets by excluding aviation from renewable energy goals 26 Sep 2008
Two new Whitehall departments and a manufacturing technology centre aim to attract overseas investment in UK clean-tech firms 08 Sep 2008
Friends of the Earth brand business secretary's speech "dangerous and misleading" 22 Sep 2008
Eleven sites proposed for new generation of nuclear reactors 15 Apr 2009
Survey of public sector IT managers reveals deep concern over ability to deliver on carbon-neutral targets 03 Jul 2009
Fresh funding will provide new wave energy research equipment and support research 03 Jul 2009
EPA hints it could soon raise efficiency bar for routers, modems and storage systems 03 Jul 2009
More news
From record-breaking solar panels to the International Renewable Energy Agency's new home, we round up the top stories from the past week 03 Jul 2009
Well, I hope they got a no win, no fee deal. I don't like being cynical (it's more of a congenital thing)... 03 Jul 2009
Recycling waste heat is nothing new, so why has the computer industry not kept up? 01 Jul 2009 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
