Major energy suppliers accused to failing to meet renewables targets - 02/03/2010

Most of Britain's major energy suppliers are not playing their part in helping to meet national renewables targets, according to Ecotricity.

The renewable energy company said five out of the Big Six energy suppliers have failed to invest the £30 per customer required to help the UK meet its energy goals.

According to Ecotricty's analysis of publicly available investment plans, only npower invested £30 per customer in 2009 and over £65 per customer on renewables.

However, Scottish Power spent £16 per customer, EDF spent £9, Scottish and Southern forked out just £8, while Centrica and E.ON spent nothing at all.

The £30 is target is based on what it would take for a company to meet its minimum legal requirement under the Renewables Obligation to increase renewable energy capacity by around one per cent a year.

Dale Vince, founder and managing director of Ecotricity, said: "[The] figures show that for the sixth year running, the Big Six energy companies in Britain haven't even come close to meeting their minimum legal obligation to build more new sources of green energy."

Ecotricity's findings were criticised by Centrica, which labelled the company's figures "misleading".

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