Labour and Conservative parties' policy on Renewables

As we move into a General Election campagn it is also important that we know what the policies of the Conservative Party are.

Documents from DECC, reflecting the Labour Government's policy.

The UK Low Carbon Transition. This is the main document published by DECC. It specifies a large increase in windfarms. Another key government document is The UK Renewable Energy Strategy with a UK Renewable Energy Strategy Management Summary

The Conservative Party's on Renewable Energy, including wind energy is contained in THE LOW CARBON ECONOMY: SECURITY, STABILITY AND GREEN GROWTH

Commentaries, articles etc following David Miliband's July 16 2009 report

The Times July 13, 2009

"Ministers have put wind power at the heart of a Renewable Energy Strategy, which is due to be released on Wednesday. It will outline how Britain is to meet its target of a 34 per cent cut in CO2 emissions by 2020. The Government’s plans are likely to include more than 4,000 additional onshore turbines by 2020, many built at beauty spots and on high ground which would make them visible across miles of open countryside".

The Daily Telegraph July 16, 2009
People in the countryside told to accept 'many thousands' of new wind turbines

“How the hell did we let that happen?” we often ask ourselves when we look at the brutalist monstrosity tower blocks which we allowed to blight our towns in the sixties. In a few decades’ time we’re going to be asking exactly the same question about the 300 foot wind turbines ruining what’s left of Britain’s wilderness."

The Engineer on-line 16 July 2009

Government should be cautious on wind power

Sections of the power industry – including voices from the renewables sector itself – have lined up with business leaders to warn the government of the perils of backing wind too strongly in today’s carbon change whitepaper. Power technology experts and tidal energy specialists joined the CBI in urging caution ahead of the expected announcement of a major expansion of the UK’s wind output.

The Times 17 July 2009

Don't blow our£100 billion on wind power

Dieter Helm, Professor of Energy Policy at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of New College.

"The question that should have been at the heart of the White Paper is this: given our (limited) resources, where can Britain add the maximum benefits to this global problem? Where can it make a difference? The answer is largely in technology: we have some of the best scientists, very good engineers and best universities in the world. Where we can really help is by investing in developing carbon capture and storage (CCS), nuclear energy and new technologies for networks, batteries and the electrification of transport. The Government deserves credit for beginning to develop some of these.
If all the £100 billion or more going to renewables went to these areas it would really begin to make a difference — especially if the collaboration was international. Wind, of course, has a part to play. But putting so many eggs in this one basket is not a good idea."