The UK Government says it is confident it can meet its 15 percent renewable energy target for 2020 with a three-point framework of action, according to plans submitted to the European Commission.
But it admits it has to “radically increase” its use of renewable energy as it describes climate change as “one of the gravest threats we face”.
The UK's position was spelled out in its National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), submitted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in accordance with a requirement in the Renewable Energy Directive for all EU Member States to send detailed plans of how they will achieve their legally binding 2020 renewable energy targets.
It was reported the UK is currently one of only four EU Member States to have so far submitted their plans to the Commission, along with the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark.
The action plan confirmed the country's current position with renewable energy, confirming the UK “needs to radically increase its use of renewable energy”.
It added: “The UK has been blessed with a wealth of energy resources. Until now we have relied on the use of our coal, oil and gas supplies to supply our homes; support our businesses; and power our transport.
“As we look forward, we need to ensure that we also make the most of our renewable resources to provide a secure basis for the UK’s future energy needs.
“The depletion of our domestic fossil fuels reserves, combined with projected growth in global energy demand, puts our security of energy supply at risk. Exploiting our renewable resources will make a strong contribution to our energy needs and allow us to be less reliant on others.
“Our drive to increase the proportion of energy we obtain from renewable sources will not only increase the security of energy supplies in the UK, it will also provide opportunities for investment in new industries and new technologies. The UK Government will help business develop in this area to put the UK at the forefront of new renewable technologies and skills.
The report's summary added: “The UK Government believes that climate change is one of the gravest threats we face, and that urgent action at home and abroad is required. We need to use a wide range of levers to decarbonise the economy.
“The development of renewable energy sources, alongside nuclear power and the development of carbon capture and storage, will also enable the UK to play its full part in international efforts to reduce the production of harmful greenhouse gases.”
According to the document, the total renewable capacity of the UK will be 38.21GW, made up of the following technologies:
* Hydro - 2.13GW;
* Solar PV - 2.68GW;
* Wave and tidal - 1.3GW;
* Onshore wind - 14.89GW;
* Offshore wind - 12.99GW;
* Biomass - 4.24GW
The NREAP provides details on the set of measures that would enable the UK to meet its 2020 target, but it revealed: “we want to go a lot further”.
The set of actions, include:
* Introduction of Feed-in Tariffs for electricity - possibility of extending the scheme for larger generation projects to operate alongside the Renewables Obligation (RO)
* Maintenance of the banded Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs)
* Possible introduction of Renewable Heat Incentive
* Review of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation
* Creation of a Green Investment Bank to help financially support the introduction of renewable energy
* Opportunities for community-owned renewable energy schemes
* Developing a smart grid.
The report also details that there are currently no installations constructed awaiting connection to the UK grid, however claims that there is around a 71GW queue, including 19GW of capacity from renewable sources, of proposed new generation capacity seeking connection to the country's transmission network.
It stated: “We want to secure our energy supplies through 2020 and beyond and provide a sound framework for business to develop in the new industries, providing jobs and cutting harmful greenhouse gases. The Coalition: our programme for government sets out a range of proposals to ensure that we go as far as we can in exploiting the UK’s renewable energy resources.
“We are commissioning the independent UK Committee on Climate Change to review the renewables target and provide advice on increasing the level of ambition. We have also committed to make an Annual Energy Statement to the UK Parliament to set strategic energy policy and guide investment in all forms of energy including renewables.
“At the European level we are pushing for greater leadership in tackling international climate change by supporting an increase in the European Union emission reduction target to 30% by 2020.”
The plan added: “The history of energy production in the UK has been based around our natural resources of fossil fuels. This means that we have not been as active in our exploitation of our renewable resources – this must change. Compared to many other Member States, the UK is starting from a very low level of renewable energy consumption and this means that our challenge to meet the 2020 targets is even greater.
“The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets a target for the UK to achieve 15% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. This compares to only 1.5% in 2005... There has been a small increase in renewable energy use in recent years, there will have to be a much greater level of deployment over the next decade in order to meet the target.
“DECC published the results of analysis and modelling to demonstrate how it might be possible to meet the 15% renewables target by 2020 as part of the UK Renewable Energy Strategy in 2009.
“This analysis indicates that delivering 15% renewable energy by 2020 is feasible through domestic action and could be achieved with the following proportion of energy consumption in each sector coming from renewables:
• Around 30% of electricity demand, including 2% from small-scale sources;
• 12% of heat demand;
• 10% of transport demand.
The report stressed the figures should not be taken as an upper limit to the UK ambition for renewables deployment and said that given the dynamic nature of the energy market and the advances in technology that are being made, it is likely that the balance between different sectors could change in the future.
It added: “Whatever the precise breakdown may be, we are putting in place the framework and taking the actions necessary to ensure that we meet our renewable goals.”
The document broke down the UK renewables policy framework into three key components:
• Financial support for renewables;
• Unblocking barriers to delivery; and
• Developing emerging technologies
The report detailed the UK's efforts in providing financial support for the renewable industry.
“The UK is establishing a financial framework that provides long-term, comprehensive and targeted support for renewable technologies,” it confirmed.
“We are looking at establishing a system of feed-in tariffs in electricity, as well as the maintenance of banded Renewable Obligation Certificates in order to ensure that our greater ambitions for renewable energy are supported and have the required investment.
“The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) is also under review. We are reviewing how it could be aligned with the Renewable Energy Directive and we will consult on any proposed changes later this year.
“In addition to this support, we are looking into the possibility of a Green Investment Bank to help fund the introduction of renewable energy. As part of the creation of this bank, we will create financial products to provide individuals with opportunities to invest in the infrastructure needed to support the new green economy.
“It is not only business which will see benefits from higher levels of renewables. We will be providing opportunities for communities to benefit through the promotion of community-owned renewable energy schemes.
“We are currently investigating the opportunity for communities that host renewable energy projects to keep the additional business rates they generate as part of these schemes. This way local people will benefit from the power they are producing.”
“We will be taking steps to identify and address those issues that affect the timely deployment of established renewable technologies such as: the planning system; supply chains; connection to the grid; and availability and use of sustainable bioenergy.
“The UK is taking positive steps to ensure that the grid is made smarter. A smarter grid will enable efficient use of networks, and greater renewable and distributed generation. We are looking into ways to accelerate the rollout of the smart grid and smart meters. Wewill be seeking industry views on this and publishing proposals this summer.”
The report confirmed the UK was focused on supporting emerging technologies.
It stated: “Offshore wind is a key area for development. We will work to develop an offshore electricity grid to support our continuing commitment to being world leaders in this technology. This new generation of offshore wind power will play a key role in meeting our 2020 target.
“Marine energy is also a priority for development in the UK. The UK is a natural place from which to develop marine energy and we are lucky to have such a uniquely rich wave and tidal resource.
“We will be encouraging the development and commercialisation of this industry over the coming decade. The world’s first full-scale wave and tidal stream devices are British innovations, which show we have the skills and know-how to develop a new world-leading UK-based energy sector.
“We are currently considering in detail how creating a network of marine energy parks can work to push the sector forward. Each marine energy park will be unique and different; building on the strengths of the region in which it is based.
“The Government has also announced the promotion of anaerobic digestion as a key area for further development, and we are currently working with stakeholders to develop a strategy for delivering this commitment.”
michael dean, London around 1 year, 7 months ago