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Government boost for renewable energy

Electricity suppliers will have to source 15 per cent of their supplies from renewable energy sources by 2015 the Government said today. The announcement, which will significantly boost the market for renewable electricity in the UK, has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth Cymru.

The Renewables Obligation was introduced by the Government eighteen months ago, to provide an incentive scheme for renewable energy. Under the existing Obligation, suppliers will have to source 10% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010.

Today's extension of the Renewables Obligation shows that the Government is keen to increase confidence in the renewables market, and follows calls from industry to set a longer term target to achieve this. Investors should now be more willing to invest their capital in projects which may not come to fruition until after 2010 - this will include many of the Government's proposed off-shore wind farms.

Friends of the Earth Cymru's energy campaigner, Neil Crumpton said;

"This announcement is extremely welcome. It will increase confidence in Government pledges to deliver a low carbon energy future. We hope that they will continue listening and set stimulating targets for renewable transport fuels and renewable sources of heat."