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Government renewables plan: good idea, low targets
3 August 2001
Friends of the Earth today welcomed proposals from the Government that will make it a requirement to increase the amount of renewable energy used in the UK. But FOE also warned that the official target was too low and backed calls from MPs [1] and environmental groups for it to be increased.
The Renewables Obligation - the details of which were released by the DTI today [2] - will impose a legally enforceable quota on all utility companies to supply electricity from renewable sources such as wind power and solar power. It replaces an earlier system based on individual projects.
The Government's target is for 10% of all electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2010. Friends of the Earth and, last year, the House of Commons Environment Select Committee have both called for this target to be doubled to 20%.
FOE Energy Campaigner Mark Johnston commented:
“The Government is introducing a good system that is flexible, efficient and has the potential to deliver renewable energy on a very large scale. But still Ministers are relatively unambitious when it comes to setting targets. Other European states are moving much faster than the UK.If we are serious about honouring our international commitments on climate change, then we have to go well beyond the present target.” [3]
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
