Thursday 12 November 2015

UK Government risks facing legal action over renewables

The UK Government will face a legal challenge if it fails to put in place a “credible plan” for meeting renewable targets, Friends of the Earth has warned.

The environmental group will send a “formal letter” to Energy Secretary Amber Rudd this week expressing its concerns.

A spokesperson told ELN it will take action depending on what Ms Rudd proposes in her response.

It follows revelations the UK is expected to miss its legally binding target of generating 15% of its energy from renewables by 2020.

Alasdair Cameron, Friends of the Earth energy campaigner said: “Without serious additional action the UK is on course to miss its legally binding renewable energy targets for 2020 – and recently proposed cuts to support for wind and solar technologies will make matters worse.

“We will be writing to the government to set out our concerns and warn of the potential legal consequences if its renewable energy action plan is inadequate. Renewable energy is the future – the government must get on board and help build the low carbon, affordable economy we so urgently need.”

DECC said its priority is to provide “secure, affordable and reliable energy”.

A spokesperson added: “Renewables make up around 25% of our electricity generation and we are on track to meet our ambition for 2020. We continue to make progress to meet our overall renewable energy target.”

Last week former Energy Secretary Ed Davey claimed Chancellor George Osborne is "calling the shots" on energy policy while Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom defend the green cuts at the Energy Live 2015 conference.