Renewables industry calls for new national targets
The Renewable Energy Association has called for the EU to recognize the significance of the 2030 renewable energy target for improving energy security. This is in light of the renewable energy rise of 5.2%. The REA is supporting the reduction in dependent on fossil fuel imports.
The 2030 energy and climate change framework is soon to be debated by EU leaders at the European Council. Focus is expected to be on energy security.
REA Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska said:
“Renewables and energy efficiency are the best no-regrets options for both reducing exposure to international energy market shocks and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They should be at the heart of the EU strategies to address both energy security and climate change. The most cost-effective way to do this that gives investors most certainty is with nationally binding 2030 targets.”
The debate comes as two reports have recently been published addressing barriers to the target. One report looks at the progress the UK is making towards its current target of 15% of renewable energy by 2020. The second monitors progress in light of the EU Tracking Roadmap.
Current data suggests the UK’s progress in 2013 towards the target increased to 5.2% renewable energy, comprising 14.9% renewable electricity, 2.8% renewable heat and 4.4% renewable transport.
REA Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska said:
“Every percentage point increase in home-grown renewable energy makes us that much more energy secure. The progress in electricity is encouraging, but growth is not yet strong enough in renewable heat and transport to meet the Government’s objectives. The Renewable Heat Incentive is beginning to drive substantial investment opportunities in green heating, but Government must set the target for the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation out to 2020 to attract investment in sustainable biofuels.”
“An over-reliance on the existing EU Emissions Trading Scheme will not deliver the low carbon energy we need, partly because it is an imperfect driver of low carbon electricity, but mainly because it does not drive decarbonisation in heating and transport. This is why national 2030 renewables targets are important alongside simple greenhouse gas targets. National renewables targets give investors confidence that Governments will put stable, supportive policies in place. This reduces risk and the cost of capital and drives investment, jobs and cost reductions.”
STA Chief Executive Paul Barwell said:
“Solar power is leading the renewables race towards competing with fossil fuels without subsidy. We know we can achieve this well before 2030, as long as policies are clear and stable. Financial support should be designed to reduce gradually to zero in line with cost reductions, but instead we keep seeing drastic knee-jerk cuts, first for household solar and now for solar farms.”
“Targets will be important even when subsidy is no longer needed, as other areas such as planning and grid access will still require supportive Government policies to fully realise the potential for solar power to deliver secure and cheap green energy to UK homes, businesses and community groups.”