The UK could source 45% of energy from renewable generation by 2030

 

 

The Committee on Climate Change has today published its review of renewable energy, which was commissioned by the Government in the May 2010 Coalition Agreement. The Government requested that the Committee advise on the potential for increasing ambitions on power from renewable sources. The report concludes that there is significant scope for increased targets on renewables, with a target of up to 45% for 2030. Whilst the report recommends that targets for 2020 should remain unchanged with the focus being to achieve these targets, a higher level target is technically feasible for 2030 and subsequently 2050. The report recommends that the “optimal policy is to pursue a portfolio approach, with each of the different technologies playing a role.” In order for this to be achieved “new policies are required to support technology innovation and address barriers to uptake. The report sets out to do four key things:

 

• Set out new analysis of technical feasibility and economic viability of renewable and other low-carbon energy technologies.

 

• Present scenarios for renewable energy deployment to 2030 and beyond, and assess whether it is appropriate now to commit to increased ambition for renewable energy in the 2020s.

• Consider implications of these longer-term scenarios for ambition to 2020.

• Assess the key enabling factors for investment in renewable energy technologies, suggesting high-level policy options as appropriate to deliver ambition in 2020 and beyond. 

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