Archived press release

UK number one for offshore wind - but more investment is needed in renewables

21 October 2008

Commenting on today's revelation that the UK is the world's biggest developer of offshore wind and the announcement of a major programme to accelerate the development of offshore wind farms, Friends of the Earth's renewable energy campaigner, Nick Rau said:

"It's great news that the UK is now leading the world in off-shore wind power - but we're still near the bottom of the European league table for harnessing renewable energy."

"The Government must stop trying to wriggle out of European green energy targets and put a massive effort into making renewable power the number one source of energy in the UK."

"The UK has one of the biggest renewable energy potentials in Europe - this must be harnessed to make this country a world leader in tackling climate change. This will help cut emissions, create hundreds of thousands of jobs and secure a clean, safe energy supply - leading Britain to a cleaner and more prosperous future."

The European Council is expected to decide its position on the EU Renewable Directive this week. The Directive will commit Europe to generating 20 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. The UK will have to generate 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by this date, but has attempted to introduce a series of 'compromise amendments' - like excluding aviation - which would weaken the Directive.

Notes:

1. Department of Energy and Climate Change press release http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?space¬
ReleaseID=381930&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromSearch=True
2. UK proposals for amending the Renewable Energy Directive have included giving credit for capture and storage projects; allowing unfinished projects in the UK (e.g. Severn Barrage) and investments outside the UK to count towards the UK's target; making intermediate targets non-binding; and allowing aviation to be excluded altogether - which could allow Member States to wriggle out of their commitments.

3. Friends of the Earth is urging the UK Government to introduce a feed in tariff in its Energy Bill to provide financial incentives for families, businesses and communities to install small-scale renewable energy systems such as solar panels, wind and water turbines.

4. Friends of the Earth is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change.

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