UK needs more ambition for 100% renewable future

A 100% renewable future is possible in the UK but the country needs to be more ambitious. That was the message from the speakers at the ‘A 100% Renewables Future’ […]

A 100% renewable future is possible in the UK but the country needs to be more ambitious.

That was the message from the speakers at the ‘A 100% Renewables Future’ conference today hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group (APPCCG) in London.

“We need transparency on the argument on the cost of renewable energy”, said Nina Skorupska, Chief Executive at Renewable Energy Association (REA).

She believes “things stand against renewables” as “the lobbying from other sources is huge”.

Her comments come as the UK Government is scrapping subsidies for onshore wind projects from April next year and cutting support for solar and biomass.

Ms Skorupska added energy storage will be “crucial” in the near future as it can deliver cheaper green energy and manage grid issues.

Julia Groves, Director at Trillion Fund said: “We have to explode the myth that government policies cutting renewables are putting consumers first. They’re doing the opposite”.

She believes the UK showed a lack of ambition for renewables at COP21.

Keith Barnham from Imperial College London believes local councils can lead the charge for clean energy.

He pointed out the growth of the solar industry.

“Similarly, onshore and offshore wind sales are rising exponentially”, he said and added offshore wind targets could be achieved by 2021 with subsidies.

The UK could see a 100% renewables future by 2030, according to Doug Parr, Chief Scientist and Policy Director at Greenpeace UK who added “Treasury is in control of energy policy”.

Former Energy Secretary Ed Davey also said Chancellor George Osborne is “calling the shots” when it comes to energy policy at the Energy Live 2015 conference last month.

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