Brown unveils renewables revolution
Thursday, 26 Jun 2008 00:01
Solar panels are expected to play a large role in the renewables strategy
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Proposals have been outlined to show how the UK can meet its 2020 renewables obligation by the prime minister and business secretary today.
They said the government would lead changes to encourage 15 per cent of the UK's electricity to come from renewable sources.
While reducing climate change is the driver behind the target, the prime minister outlined how working to increasing energy from renewable sources would create new jobs, boost the economy and increase energy security.
Gordon Brown told a low carbon summit in London that Britain must achieve a "clean economy" and that it is about to undergo a "green revolution in the making".
He promised that the next few years would see the "most dramatic change in our energy policy since the advent of nuclear power".
Mr Brown said there would be a ten-fold increase in the current use of renewables, with the North Sea becoming "the equivalent for wind power to what the Gulf of Arabia is for the oil industry".
By 2020 about 3,000 offshore wind turbines will have been installed in British waters and the prime minister said there will have to be more onshore wind farms to meet the renewables target.
Energy from waste and biomass; solar panels; and microgeneration technologies will also play a role in reaching the goal.
Mr Brown said while the government would lead the way, consumers and business must also change their lifestyles to reduce energy demand.
The government wants to see more houses with loft insulation and energy efficient appliances.
It estimates that expanding renewables as set out under the target could result in carbon savings of around 20 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020.
"Building a low carbon future is nothing less than the basis of our future prosperity," Mr Brown said.
"It's an immense challenge and all of us have a major part to play."
Business secretary John Hutton added: "We must make the most rapid progress possible to becoming a cleaner, greener economy and we will strive to make these changes in the most effective way possible, with the least cost to consumers.
"We will also maximise the economic benefit for the UK by creating a new generation of green collar jobs and making the most of our strengths as one of the world's largest manufacturing economies; a world class centre of energy expertise and a leading location for inward investment."