Member Article

Too much investment around 'intermittent wind power'

More investment is needed to “bolster energy security” because investment is too focused on wind power, according to a recent report.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) report, titled ‘Decision Time’, warns that current policy stimulates wind power, leaving behind other low-carbon alternatives, such as nuclear and clean coal.

The report says the expected 2020 wind power target needs to be reduced, along with accelerated investment in the grid to make certain companies can invest in a new upgrade, “needed to support new electricity generation within the required timescale.”

CBI Deputy-Director General, John Cridland, said: “While we have generous subsidies for wind power, we urgently need the national planning statements needed to build new nuclear plants.

“If we carry in like this we will end up putting too many of our energy eggs in one basket.

“But by moving government policy in a different direction we can achieve a good balance of wind, nuclear, gas and clean coal.”

The independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) said by 2030 wind will contribute 24% of all energy needs, with 64% of electricity coming from renewable sources – below the CCC’s 78% target.

Andrew Mill, CEO of the North East’s New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC), said: “Significant public investment is essential to accelerate the development of these new technologies and stimulate the prospective supply chain to guarantee future energy supplies; and bring optimum benefits to the wider community.

“NaREC welcomes the Government’s commitment to the low carbon sector, which we hope will see additional spending aligned with the needs of industry and encourage the private investment required to deliver 2020 targets.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .