Features

The UK Government yesterday signalled its commitment to meet the proposal EU renewables target of 15% by 2020 with a consultation document aimed at opening the way for a ten-fold increase in renewables generation.

According to Business Secretary John Hutton, “This vast expansion of renewable energy marks an important moment in this journey and, alongside our plans for new nuclear and clean coal, will play a crucial role in tackling climate change and reducing our dependency on oil and gas.”

“We really hope this consultation signals the start of a green energy revolution in the UK and an end to the piecemeal, negative approach taken so far,” said Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Robin Webster.

Electricity generation

In recent years, electricity generation by renewables has grown at a very slow rate in the UK. In 2007, the country generated only 5% of its electricity from renewables, up a mere 0.5% on 2006. To meet the EU targets, this would need to increase to 30-35% by 2020.

This massive increase in renewable electricity generation could mean the installation of up to 4000 onshore and 3000 offshore wind turbines, as well as projects like the Severn Estuary tidal barrier, which is currently the subject of a feasibility study. This is a doubling of onshore wind turbines and more than a ten-fold increase in offshore capacity.

To encourage the required growth, the Government is considering increasing the level of the Renewables Obligation, which requires electricity suppliers to provide a certain percentage (7.9% for 2007/8, rising to 15.4% by 2015/16) of electricity from renewable sources.

The Government is also proposing an overhaul of planning regulations, particularly at the regional level, to speed up decisions and ensure a consistent approach around the country. At the recent Renewable Energy Association annual meeting in London, a panel of experts singled out planning as the single biggest barrier to renewables in the UK.

Connecting to grid is another hurdle for renewables. Wind energy projects totalling around 10 GW in various stages of development are still awaiting grid connection.

To tackle this, the Department for Business and Ofgem are launching a new package of measures to speed up grid connection for renewable generation projects. The measures include ways to accelerate short-term deployment and incentives for fast delivery of new infrastructure. The new measures could connect around 1 GW within two years, according to the Government.

Heat generation

The largely untapped source of renewable heat is singled out for attention under the new plans. Heating accounts for 49% of the UK’s energy demand – the largest single proportion – but currently only 0.6% comes from renewable sources.

The Government is proposing a massive increase in biomass-based heat generation, particularly from waste. Solar water heating, ground and air source pumps and combined heat and power plants are also likely to receive new support.

Under the proposals, a Renewable Heat Obligation or Incentive could be introduced to parallel the ROs for electricity suppliers to encourage biomass-based projects.

Microgeneration

Despite figures from the Energy Saving Trust indicating that up to 40% of the UK’s electricity could be generated through microgeneration, the consultation document offers little support for feed-in tariffs.

According to the report, the benefits of feed-in tariffs would be marginal to the 15% target. “There could also be difficulties in the operation of feed-in tariffs in the UK’s market-based system,” it says.
However, in his statement, Brown promised that there would be financial incentives for microgeneration and decentralised energy projects.

Transport

Biofuels are still on the agenda, but the Government is proposing that they will have to meet strict sustainability criteria. These criteria, which are some of the first in the world, would be set to limit the impact of biofuels on food prices and the environment.

The Government is also proposing extending incentives for the use of biofuels to the rail transport and shipping sectors.

But are these targets realistic? The Renewables Advisory Board suggests that the targets are just about reachable, but only with a strong Government will behind the efforts.

And the UK does have some of the best natural resources for wind and wave power in Europe. According to Government figures, the UK will become the leader in operating offshore wind capacity this year at over 400 MW. However, recent research indicates that there is a serious shortage of vessels suitable for installation of offshore wind turbines.

The consultation period on the Government’s plans will run for three months. Responses will be published in the autumn, followed by a final renewable energy strategy in spring 2009.

For further information:
www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/strategy/page43356.html
www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/transmission-access/page40567.html
www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page15846.asp
www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/renewables-obligation/what-is-renewables-obligation/page15633.html
www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/313/
www.renewables-advisory-board.org.uk
www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/255/
www.cera.com/aspx/cda/client/knowledgeArea/serviceDescription.aspx?KID=57