RAB reports renewable energy targets 'are achievable'

News Article - 19 June 2008
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In a new report, the Renewables Advisory Board (RAB) states that Britain could reach the European Union's (EU) renewable energy target of 15 per cent if a series of policy changes are implemented quickly.

According to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the board is now advising the government on ways of achieving targets and "active steps" are being taken to reach the UK's proposed share of the EU renewable energy target.

The RAB states that the UK's proposed renewable energy target is possible to hit and the country could generate 14 per cent of its total energy from renewables by 2020 "if a set of identified radical policy changes are put into effect", such as streamlined consenting processes, strong political leadership and accelerating grid studies.

Alan Moore, RAB co-chairman, said: "Industry and commerce themselves stand ready to deliver but, as ever in the renewables industry, the greatest investment risk is seen as political risk. Investors need to be confident that government is determined to achieve its own targets."

Experts in four sectors (bulk electricity, bulk heat, built environment and transport) were consulted for the RAB study and predicted that bulk electricity could contribute 7.1 per cent towards the renewable energy target, bulk heat could provide 0.9 per cent, built environment 3.3 per cent and transport 2.7 per cent.

Businesses are increasingly looking at ways of reducing their carbon footprint and renewable energy can provide one way of achieving this, while carbonaccounting software can help them to identify and reach green targets.

The UK currently gets just two per cent of its total energy from renewable sources at present, with experts expressing concern about complications in the planning system.

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