Commenting on today's government announcement that the subsidy for onshore wind energy generation is to be cut by 10%, the UK's Green MEP for Reading Keith Taylor said:
"It is disappointing that the government is continuing to create more uncertainty for the wind energy sector by announcing yet another consultation on the level of government support. While the 10% cut in subsidies may be a minor victory for Ed Davey, he still seems to have a fight on his hands to convince the Treasury that the UK should seriously invest in renewables."
"Today's news that the government will support an increased reliance on gas-fired power stations shows that they have little consideration for the UK's legal obligation to source 15% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020, as set out in the EU Renewable Energy Directive. To date, only 3% of the UK's energy comes from renewables, compared with the European average of 12%."
"The UK has vast potential to benefit from investment and jobs in this growth sector, yet it's lagging behind Europe and the rest of the world. The government is currently failing to attract investment in this growth industry in which tens of thousands of much needed jobs could be created. Investors need certainty, not more obfuscation. Only by moving away from dirty and volatile fossil fuels and towards clean renewables will the UK be able to secure tens of thousands more jobs, more affordable energy bills for consumers and the ability to meet its obligations to bring down dangerous levels of climate emissions."
1 comment:
I think a lot of people in Britain assume that because we're subject to a cloudy day or six, that we're ill-suited for green energy. It's true that we might not get the same value from photovoltaic cells that California and Sydney can, but for a nation with 11,000 miles of windy coastline (more like 20,000 with all the offshore islands,) not embracing wind energy is inexcusable. 15% of renewable energy by 2020? I think we'll be lucky to tickle 5%.
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