UK Energy Review - summary1 February 2002
Government think tank - The Performance and Innovation unit - has just published its long awaited energy review.
The review will form the basis of an Energy White Paper that will set the agenda for Britain's energy policy for the next 50 years.
What does the Energy Review say?
Nuclear
Most worryingly the report recommends keeping the option of building new nuclear power stations open. Friends of the Earth is working hard to ensure that the Government does not give into pressure from the nuclear industry.
Renewables
The report extends the target for renewables to 20 per cent by 2020. This is low given the massive potential for renewable energy in the UK.
Scotland alone has the potential to supply 30 per cent of the UK's energy supply from renewables. The UK also has the largest wind resources of any European country.
Coal
Despite the large environmental impacts of coal burning. The emissions in the UK from coal burning are on the increase yet the report resists the idea of European Union regulations that would decrease emissions.
Friends of the Earth believe that the report should have suggested the full implementation of these regulations.
Energy Efficiency
The report has strong recommendations on energy efficiency. However the targets are little more than those that were previously proposed in the Home Energy and Conservation Act 1995.
Conclusion
Friends of the Earth has cautiously welcomed the review but feels that it is not the great leap forward that would be needed to create a low carbon economy.
