Building & Design

UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne will address parliament today with a key statement on energy policy, which is expected to outline a major investment in wind power.

Huhne’s annual energy statement will coincide with the publication of his Department’s 2050 Pathways analysis, which will outline the actions needed to keep the country’s generation and transmissions systems operating.

The analysis is likely to highlight a number of key issues, including the UK’s ageing nuclear generators, which are nearing the end of their operational lives, and new European directives limiting emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxides from conventional fossil fuel plants, which may make many uneconomical to run.

To make up the potential shortfall in demand – and keep the lights on – a major effort building new carbon-free power generation will be needed complimented by a serious energy efficiency drive.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth says it will welcome any expansion of renewable energy, but is urging the Government to reverse its spending cut on low-carbon programmes and speed up the introduction of its proposed Green Investment Bank.

“The UK has been in the slow lane for far too long and without urgent action we risk missing our targets for tackling climate change,” says sustainable energy advisor and former MP Alan Simpson.

For further information:
www.decc.gov.uk
www.foe.co.uk/

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