UK could miss 2020 renewables target

According to the leaked letter from UK Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd, the UK is forecast to miss the renewable energy target under which it is supposed to get 15% of UK’s energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

The letters from Rudd, acquired by the Ecologist, reveal that the UK is expected to fall short of reaching the 2020 target by 3.5% or 50 TW/h, but adds that ‘publically we are clear that the UK continues to make progress to meet the target.’

Commenting on the leaked letter, Molly Scott Cato, the Green MEP, told The Guardian that Rudd had “serious questions to answer about why she has reported something to parliament which appears inconsistent with what she has been telling other ministers.”

Amber Rudd admitted to the Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee on Tuesday, November 10, that the UK currently does not have the right policies to meet the EU target.

Rudd said: “It’s my aim we should meet the 2020 target. I recognize we don’t have the right policies, particularly in transport and heat to make the 2020 target, but we have four to five years and I remain committed to making the target.”

When asked about buying renewable energy from other EU member states, Rudd said that is an option, but not a desirable option, since a better choice would be to take action in the UK to meet the target.

In addition, Scottish Renewables published a report today that states that it will miss its 100% renewable energy target without further investment in onshore and offshore wind.

The study shows the Scotland to generate the equivalent of 87% of its annual demand for power from renewables by 2020, and highlights the need for further support from the UK Government if the target is to be met.

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables said: “The 100% target has provided a powerful focus for government, industry and supporting bodies like HIE and Scottish Enterprise, and really put Scotland’s renewable energy industry on the map. However, current projections show that we’re not going to meet it unless we get more projects going ahead between now and 2020.”

Image: DECC