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A national renewable energy blueprint designed to slash carbon emissions dramatically, reduce the UK's dependency on oil and gas and claim a valuable share of global green business opportunity was set out by Business Secretary John Hutton today. The initiatives will encourage 30-35% of our electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020 Mr Hutton outlined proposals to enable the UK to meet its proposed 15% renewable energy target by 2020, an increase of 1,000% on current levels. This is likely to include up to a third of electricity coming from renewables as well as significant increases in the use of renewable forms of heat and transport fuels. Mr Hutton said: ""We must make the most rapid progress possible to becoming a cleaner, greener economy and we will strive to make these changes in the most effective way possible, with the least cost to consumers." "We will also maximise the economic benefit for the UK by creating a new generation of green collar jobs and making the most of our strengths as one of the world's largest manufacturing economies; a world class centre of energy expertise and a leading location for inward investment."
New polling published by the Department for Business today shows broad public support for renewable energy:* 84% of people favour the use of renewable energy.
* 64% would be happy to live within 5km of a wind power development.
The renewable energy strategy consultation published today builds on existing measures, and includes proposals for:
* extending and raising the level of the renewables obligation to encourage 30-35% of our electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020
* introducing a new financial incentive mechanism to encourage a very large increase in renewable heat
* extending more effective financial support for heat and electricity microgeneration technologies in homes and other buildings
* helping the planning system to deliver
* ensuring appropriate incentives for new electricity grid infrastructure
* exploiting the full potential of energy from waste by considering further restrictions on landfilling biomass
* requiring all biofuels to meet strict sustainability criteria to limit adverse impacts on food prices, and other social and environmental concerns
* encouraging the development of new renewable technologies by ensuring effective support particularly where the UK has the potential to be a market leader
* maximising the benefits for UK business by providing a clear long-term policy framework
Responses to the Renewable Energy Strategy consultation are invited by 26 September 2008. A final strategy is expected to be in place by spring 2009.
Source: Directgov, Crown Copyright
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