10 CONCLUSIONS
237. Once finalised by the EU Commission, the UK's
2020 renewable energy target will be mandatory. The agreed target
is likely to require around 15 per cent of energy to be supplied
from renewables, which in turn will require upwards of 35 per
cent of electricity to be generated by renewable technologies
(up from 4.6 per cent in 2006[243]).
238. Critical to meeting the 2020 target will be
the widespread deployment of renewable electricity-generation
devices, both at the level of macro and microgeneration. At the
current time, rather than acting within a framework that functions
to support the delivery of renewable electricity-generation installations,
project developers face a lengthy wait for planning consent, limited
access to the electricity transmission system, and a shortage
of the necessary skills and equipment to allow for efficient project
delivery.
239. To meet National Targets it is now essential
that immediate steps are taken to support the RDD&D needs
of the renewable electricity industry. We welcome the Government's
commitment to consult on a new Renewable Energy Strategy. However,
without increased public acceptance of renewable technologies,
a clearer funding landscape, and action to upgrade and expand
the UK electricity transmission system, no amount of Government
intervention will be sufficient to meet the challenge that lies
ahead.
240. Given the scale of the renewable energy targets
and the need for action by stakeholders at every level, from the
consumer to the Government, we were surprised and concerned by
the lack of urgency with which organisations such as National
Grid spoke of the need for change. Further, although Mr Malcolm
Wicks, Minister for Energy, offered warm words to the renewables
industry ("their task is urgent and the challenges are great,
but we shall overcome. That is my message to them" [244]),
we sensed little engagement on the part of the Government with
the issue at hand. We think it reasonable to expect the Government
to lead on this matter and hope that a greater sense of dynamism,
together with a clear strategy for progress, will be forthcoming.
241. On a more positive note, we believe that with
decisive and co-ordinated action it is feasible to meet the 2020
renewable energy targets. To do so, however, it is essential that
any action is both considered and swift; without this we may find
that the increasingly short amount of time we have to make the
necessary change has run out.
243 http://restat.org.uk/electricity.htm Back
244
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