Energy strategy ‘disappointing’
THE Government’s new energy strategy makes “hugely ambitious” commitments on low carbon energy, the UK’s independent climate advisers have said.
But the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has added its voice to a chorus of concerns about the lack of action on energy efficiency and reducing bills in the newly unveiled strategy, saying it was “disappointing” more was not done.
The energy strategy sets out new targets to boost nuclear power, increase offshore wind farms and double the planned capacity of hydrogen production as a clean alternative to gas and oil by 2030.
There are also plans to consent more oil and gas in the North Sea, but little sign of reversing Tory opposition to onshore wind, and nothing on boosting energy efficiency beyond previous commitments.
The strategy is published as Western countries wrestle with high energy prices and consider how to reduce reliance on Russian oil and gas, amid wider calls to end the fossil fuel era to tackle dangerous climate change.
The CCC’s director of analysis, Mike Thompson, said that for the first time the Government had made commitments that went beyond the advisory committee’s proposals in key low carbon technologies.
He said: “The new commitments are hugely ambitious, they would see the UK produce more electricity from offshore wind in 2030 than it has produced from gas in any year in history.
“Government, business and industry will need to focus relentlessly on delivery at a scale and pace as yet unseen,” he warned.
“Recognising the difficulties in implementing effective policy quickly, it is still disappointing not to see more on energy efficiency and on supporting households to make changes that can cut their energy bills now.
“Government has reiterated its commitment to do more and we look forward to seeing details in the coming months,” he said. He also said the proposals on energy supply must be delivered alongside efforts on using energy in vehicles, buildings and industry, and make sure supplies are secure in a changing climate.
There was a mixed response from other energy experts, who welcomed the push on renewables, but said the Government had missed an opportunity to curb bills and demand.
Bridget Woodman, deputy director of the Energy Policy Group, University of Exeter, said: “Energy policy is commonly seen as having three goals, ensuring a secure supply, delivering affordable energy and reducing our emissions of carbon dioxide in the face of climate change.
“The energy strategy fails on all three counts.”
She described exploiting new fossil fuel sources, in the North Sea or from fracking, as “environmental madness”, and said the failure to endorse onshore wind neglected the cheapest form of renewable energy and the emphasis on new nuclear power could push up bills.
Dr Sarah Darby, associate professor at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, said the UK was being offered “supply-side jam tomorrow” instead of supporting energy efficiency, which provides clear wins to cut bills and improve quality of life, energy security and climate action.