30% Renewables Target, Not 10%, If Wales Wants Economic Edge

Friends of the Earth Cymru (FOE Cymru) is calling for a 3 fold increase in the target for renewable electricity generation within this decade. The call comes the day before Assembly members discuss the so called NEDS (1) economic strategy (Wednesday pm) in committee (1). The Assembly has proposed a 10% renewable electricity generation target for 2010 but the environmental campaigners say that a 15% onshore and a 15%-25% offshore target would be far better for job creation and environmental performance (2).

FOE Cymru claim that the 10% target is unlikely to stimulate development in a whole new era of renewable energy technologies and associated manufacturing opportunities. They say that the jobs potential in Wales and for export should not be underestimated by the Assembly or its civil servants.

Currently, over 3% of electricity consumption in Wales is generated by renewable energy schemes, mainly onshore wind farms. Yet there is great potential for biomass (3) and other under-developed technologies to reach every corner of rural Wales.

The three proposed offshore wind farms around Wales would alone generate about 4% of consumption and other technologies such as marine current turbines and tidal lagoons could result in significant increases in renewables generation if environmental studies prove positive. Installation and manufacturing jobs in the Holyhead area and other Welsh ports and resorts (tidal generators could be a major tourist attraction) would result in numbers that may well be dependant on the NEDS strategy.

Neil Crumpton, energy spokesperson for FOE Cymru said:

"The 10% target is highly unambitious for a economic strategy that aspires to develop a lead on new renewable energy technologies. And there are huge opportunities both on and offshore for jobs in rural Wales and manufacturing communities.

Wales has a great resources of wind, waves and tides, which can be tapped by new inventions and innovations worthy of an environmentally friendly knowledge based economy, so we should aim high."

1) NEDS National Economic Development Strategy (public consultation draft).

2) The relevant Assembly committees have been circulated with FOE Cymru's NEDS consultation response

3) Biomass is any energy generation technology that uses energy crops, forestry and agricultural waste, etc as its fuel (CO2 neutral).