UK does not want 2020 renewable energy target scrapped: Letter to The Guardian
In response to a misleading article that claimed the Government wants to scrap the 2020 renewable energy target, Secretary of State Edward Davey…
In response to a misleading article that claimed the Government wants to scrap the 2020 renewable energy target, Secretary of State Edward Davey sent the following letter to the Guardian newspaper:
Sir,
Contrary to your misleading headline (12 March, ‘UK wants renewable energy target scrapped’), the UK is 100% committed to the 2020 EU renewable energy target and we’ve set out in our renewable energy roadmap the programme of action in place to drive delivery up and costs down.
Furthermore, your article is wholly wrong to claim “the UK is fighting to have nuclear power considered as a renewable form of energy”. The document discussed is explicit in listing nuclear and CCS as separate to renewables. Nuclear power is not a renewable technology, fact.
At issue is what new EU targets should be put in place for 2030. The UK is one of a number of countries who believe any new targets should be technology neutral, leaving Member States free to determine the most cost effective energy mix to get the best deal for consumers.
Our communication to the Commission explicitly states that the UK is not in any way “against renewables”. Far from it - renewables will play a key role in the future UK energy mix, helping to reduce import dependency and meet our carbon targets.
But the consumer will be best served in the long term through all low carbon energy technologies competing freely to meet our energy needs and emission reduction targets.
Edward Davey, Energy and Climate Change Secretary