Archived press release

Government to announce massive increase in off-shore wind

10 December 2007

Reports that ministers will reveal tomorrow (Monday) that "Britain is to embark on a wind power revolution that will produce enough electricity to power every home in the country" [1], have been welcomed by Friends of the Earth.

The Independent on Sunday reports today that "Secretary of State for Business, John Hutton, will announce that he is opening up the seas around Britain to wind farms in the biggest ever renewable energy initiative". The paper says that Mr Hutton will identify sites in British waters for enough wind farms to produce 25 gigawatts of electricity by 2020, in addition to the 8 gigawatts currently planned. This, the paper says, will make Britain's off-shore wind industry twice the size of any other country.

Friends of the Earth's renewable energy campaigner, Nick Rau, said:

"Reports that the Government is to announce a huge boost in off-shore wind are extremely welcome. The potential power that could be generated by this industry is enormous. Making Britain a world leader in this form of energy will create jobs, boost the economy and help put Britain at the forefront in the battle to combat climate change.

"Ministers must also develop forward-thinking strategies for cutting energy waste and developing other forms of renewable power. A recent Friends of the Earth report showed that we can cut emissions from UK homes by 80 per cent by 2050, if the Government had the political will. Householders and businesses should also be encouraged to fit small-scale renewable energy systems in their properties by offering them a premium rate for any excess electricity they sell to the National Grid.

"The Government should also abandon dangerous plans to develop a new generation of nuclear reactors. We can meet our energy needs, tackle climate change and maintain fuel security by investing in safe, secure alternatives such as renewables, energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies."

Friends of the Earth has been campaigning for a major increase in UK renewable energy, including off-shore wind. The environmental campaign group is urging the Government to:

• Abandon plans for a new generation of nuclear reactors. We can meet our energy needs, maintain fuel security and tackle climate change without nuclear power. Nuclear power is also likely to take money away from investment in renewables.

• Invest in a green energy revolution, including renewable energy (wind, wave, solar, tide), energy efficiency and the development of low-carbon technologies.

• Encourage householders and businesses to install small-scale renewable energy generators (wind, solar) in their properties, by placing a duty on electricity companies to pay a guaranteed, long-term, premium price for any excess electricity generated by renewable sources and exported to the National Grid [2].

Friends of the Earth is calling for the Government's climate change bill to be strengthened to ensure annual emissions cuts of at least 3 per cent, include pollution from Britain's share of international aviation and shipping, and set annual milestones to ensure that we stay on track. The draft climate change bill is currently being debated in Parliament and could be law within six months [3].

Notes

1. http://environment.independent.co.uk/green_living/article3236132.ece

2. In its recent Home Truths report Friends of the Earth demonstrated how the UK could cut carbon emissions from households by 80% by 2050. One of its key recommendations is for every home to have some form of small scale renewable heat or electricity generation installed. It called for the UK Government to provide grants for householders to install renewable technologies, and the introduction of a feed-in tariff to support this.

www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
emissions_from_uk_homes_co_27112007.html

3. Through The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth has successfully led the campaign for a UK climate change bill, which will be the first national legislation anywhere in the world to set legally-binding targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions. But the environmental charity is urging the Government to make it even stronger, to ensure that Britain plays a leading role in developing a low-carbon future. www.thebigask.com

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust