Energy plans will 'reduce UK's reliance on fossil fuels'
Wednesday 28 July 2010
Moves to boost investment in renewable energy and nuclear power stations were set out by the coalition Government yesterday as it promised to reduce Britain's dependency on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions.
Chris Huhne, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, pledged the "lights are not going to go out on my watch" as he announced 32 measures to make the country less reliant on imported oil and gas. He said the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico showed the importance of moving "further and faster" towards greater energy independence and a "low-carbon economy".
Making the first of planned annual energy statements to MPs, he said: "The central message is we are determined to speed up and accelerate the transition from a fossil fuel dependent economy to a low-carbon economy."
He promised to provide incentives to generate heat from renewable sources, speed up the connection of offshore windfarms to the national grid, bring in emissions performance standards for power plants and introduce smart meters more quickly.
The Liberal Democrat minister, whose party opposes nuclear power, also said obstacles hindering private companies from investing in nuclear plants would be removed.
The Government said moves to cut carbon emissions could lead to an 18 per cent increase in gas prices and a 33 per cent rise in electricity prices for domestic customers. However, increased energy production from renewable sources and energy-efficiency measures in homes would limit the overall increase in bills to one per cent over the next decade. Energy costs for businesses would rise by 26 per cent.
John Sauven, the Greenpeace executive director, said a high-technology, low-carbon future was "within our grasp" but would not be achieved without "massive public and private investment".
- 1 How I built my house for £4,000
- 2 Animals left for dead in Indonesian zoos
- 3 The 10 best commuter bikes
- 4 Snake bite warning issued to walkers
- 5 RSPB voices shock at buzzard plans
- 6 Government backtracks on fracking
- 7 The 10 best cycle helmets
- 8 The 10 best folding bikes
- 9 Street lighting is changing insect ecosystems, study claims
- 10 10 best hiking boots
- 1 Mark Zuckerberg saved $111m by selling Facebook shares before stock slumped
- 2 Brazil rocked by abortion for 9-year-old rape victim
- 3 Society: The only way is Finland
- 4 Catcalls, whistles, groping: the everyday picture of sexual harassment in London
- 5 Feeding a hungry world – or meddling with laws of nature?
- 6 Owen Jones: If socialists really did run the show, working people would benefit
- 7 'Hello mum, this is going to be hard for you to read ...'
- 8 African monkey meat that could be behind the next HIV
- 9 French in uproar over oral sex anti-smoking posters
- 10 Coke reveals its secret: It may need to carry a cancer warning
Experience the Heineken Hub
Get free wi-fi and exclusive i content while you enjoy a tasty pint of Heineken at participating pubs.
Can you imagine a career in teaching?
Be inspired to teach - let real teachers show you how rewarding the job can be.
Playing a game-changing role during the Games
Cisco is providing the solutions for London 2012's complex IT needs.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Career Services
For men only: A pilgrimage to Mount Athos
48 Hours In: Faro
Monkey meat that could be behind the next HIV
Catcalls, whistles, groping: just another day for a young woman
Jailing of Maori separatists stirs colonial-era resentment
Pizza Pilgrims: Like mamma used to make




Comments