Govt 'needs to focus on renewable energy policies' - 27/01/2011
Government policies on cheap energy could turn the focus on another 'dash for gas' and stall investment in renewable energy, a parliamentary group has warned.
The Energy and Climate Change select committee's report states that the National Policy Statements designed to speed up the planning process for major energy projects do not prioritise green electricity and low carbon initiatives.
Committee chair Tim Yeo commented: "If we want to keep the lights on and create an energy system fit for the future then new rules are needed to fast track energy projects through the UK's notoriously glacial planning system.
"If these new policy statements don't put the cleanest forms of energy at the top of the agenda they will leave us dangerously dependent on fossil fuels."
Mr Yeo noted that Britain's low carbon economy will depend on government measures to encourage investment in renewables and green energy, not in gas.
The report comes after the Department for Energy and Climate Change stated that investment in energy infrastructure will have to total at least £200 billion by 2020 in order to meet targets.
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