News
Welsh Renewables Key To Achieving 2010 Target
27th February 2006
With up to 76 onshore wind farms in the planning, Wales has the potential to meet up to 18 per cent of its electricity demand from renewables and will play a vital role in achieving the UK target of 10% electricity from renewables by 2010, Malcolm Wicks said today.
Speaking in Cardiff at the latest in a series of Energy Review consultation meetings today, the Energy Minister said:
"Wind energy is just one of a number of measures that I am keen to see developed to help reduce harmful emissions into our atmosphere. This includes other low carbon technologies, such as wave and tidal power, carbon sequestration and greater energy efficiency.
"Wales faces the same problems as the rest of the country. The need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, tackle declining domestic energy supplies against increasing world demand and secure a diverse energy mix for the future.
"The Energy Review seeks to answer some of those problems, but that needs input from all of us. Renewables is one aspect, but there is no single solution, the fact is we need to decide now on where Wales will get its future energy supply.
"One thing is clear. Doing nothing is not an option. There are some tough decisions ahead, some big challenges, but no one solution. How the people and businesses of Wales see their energy future is a vital part of that solution."
Current renewable generation in Wales meets around 3.6 per cent of all electricity consumed producing around 450 Giga Watt hours (GWh).
The Prime Minister has asked Malcolm Wicks to lead a review of long-term energy policy. He was visiting Cardiff as part of a three-month public consultation period about how the country should meet its energy challenges.
The review is seeking views on some key issues including:
- What more could the government do on the demand or supply side to meet our CO2 reduction targets in the medium and long term?
- How do we develop our market framework for delivering reliable energy supplies?
- Are there particular considerations that should apply to nuclear?
- Are there particular considerations that should apply to carbon abatement and other low carbon technologies?
- Steps to take towards ensuring that every home is adequately and affordably heated?
The average Welsh resident consumes around 64 kWh less energy than the average UK resident, but Wales' CO2 emissions are slightly higher than those of the rest of the UK.
