| Synopsis: |
This document, "The UK Renewable Energy Strategy (Cm. 7686)", sets out the Government's plans for a radical increase in the UK's use of renewable electricity, heat and transport, which will meet the legally-binding target of 15 per cent of energy coming from renewable sources by 2020. This Strategy will help tackle climate change, reducing the UK's emissions of carbon dioxide by over 750 million tonnes between now and 2030. The strategy will also promote the security of UK energy supply, reducing our overall fossil fuel demand by around 10 per cent and gas imports by 20-30 per cent against what they would have been in 2020. And it will provide opportunities for the UK economy with the potential to create up to half a million more jobs in the UK renewable energy sector resulting from around GBP 100 billion of new investment. In parallel with energy saving, nuclear and carbon capture and storage, this is a key element for setting the UK on the path to achieve a low-carbon, sustainable future that helps address dangerous climate change.This strategy could result in: more than 30 per cent of electricity generated from renewables; 12 per cent of heat generated from renewables; and, 10 per cent of transport energy from renewables. The Government will: provide financial support for renewable electricity and heat worth around GBP 30 billion between now and 2020; drive delivery and clear away barriers, through the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment; increase investment in emerging technologies and pursue new sources of supply; and, create new opportunities for individuals, communities and business to harness renewable energy. "The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan" (ISBN 9780108508394) is published alongside this document and is available to buy below. |