'Govt must focus on waste as cheap energy source' - 26/05/2010
An industry figure has called on the government to focus its attention on waste as a source of cheap energy.
Colin Drummond, chief executive of rubbish collectors Viridor, said that instead of wind, the government's energy policies should place a much greater emphasis on waste because it can be more reliable.
He pointed out that cheap energy from waste accounts for around 1.5 per cent of energy produced in the UK and the target is to get that up to six per cent by 2015.
"But the government needs to be much more ambitious than that," Mr Drummond told the Times.
"Energy from wind farms can be variable, but energy from waste is base load power [it can produce electricity as and when needed]."
He also called for the creation of a new planning system that will help deliver the essential new infrastructure required, which is vital meeting EU landfill diversion obligations and improving resource efficiency.
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