Former
Energy Minister Brian Wilson believes that the UK’s energy policy should play
a key role in the upcoming General Election, and that the country should be
aiming for a largely ‘indigenous’ power supply over coming decades. In his
message for the ‘Peak Oil UK – Entering the Age of Oil Depletion’
conference in Edinburgh on Monday 25th April, Wilson will also deliver criticism
towards the energy consumption of the US, claiming that the existing levels are
‘irresponsible’ and ‘profligate’.The event, which will involve industry leaders, analysts, government figures and energy groups, will look at the short and long-term future of oil extraction and supply.
Based on projections that 70% of the UK’s electricity will come from gas, and 90% of that gas will be imported, Wilson backs the growing use of renewable energy and clean coal technology.
“I believe that the planned dependence on imported gas is ripe for review and that we should be planning for a balanced and, as far as possible, indigenous energy future – embracing as much as we can realistically do on renewables, allied to far greater concentration on clean coal technology, a substantial gas component of course, and also the retention of nuclear power which is, I appreciate, a whole debate on its own!” Wilson will tell the conference.
On the subject of the US, Wilson will deliver a damning verdict;
“The shorter-term threat to any kind of orderly transition out of an oil-based global economy into a more environmentally-friendly one comes from the absolute refusal of the United States to adjust its behaviour either to its own reduced status as an oil importer, or to the evolving pattern of global energy consumption.”
