Our Energy Mix Needs Adjusting

Our Energy Mix Needs Adjusting

Jul 14 - Western Mail

Energy issues such as higher oil prices and wind power have been much in evidence in recent months. Here Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies gives his view on the subject of renewable energy

AFFORDABLE energy is necessary to heat and light our homes, to help us travel, and to power our businesses. However, burning fossil fuels is a major contributor to climate change and will have major consequences not just for Wales, but worldwide.

The Welsh Assembly Government's energy strategy addresses these challenges. It sets out my vision for Wales to become a global showcase for clean energy production and energy efficiency and includes a 20% carbon reduction target by 2020.

Wales has a proud history of heavy, energy intensive manufacturing industries and these industries still provide many high quality jobs and contribute significantly to Welsh GDP. However, these industries need access to sustainable, affordable, reliable and cleaner energy supplies if we are to achieve our challenging carbon reduction targets for Wales.

Wales is already leading the way in the development and use of cleaner fossil fuels, and whilst these will continue to play an important part of our energy mix, renewable development is integral to a low carbon economy.

We are already playing a major role in renewable energy generation in the UK through hydro electricity and wind energy, but we have the capacity to do more, much more.

Wind power is one of the most popular energy technologies. Opinion surveys regularly show that over 80% of people are in favour of wind energy.

Wales is at the forefront of wind generation in the UK, with over 50 hydro-electric installations and 18 major onshore wind farms across Wales, together with an offshore wind farm at North Hoyle, off the North Wales coast. Exemplar wind farm projects include the Cefn Croes onshore wind farm and the Rhyl Flats offshore wind farm.

Wales is also setting the agenda in the development and use of photovoltaics. The advanced Opto-Technium facility in North Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, has the largest PV wall in Europe, and only last week I attended the official opening of the new PV facility at Sharp UK in Wrexham. This cutting edge facility will provide almost 100 new positions at the Wrexham plant, as well as supporting our drive and commitment to reducing fossil fuel dependency.

Research and development is key to this strategic approach, and we are in the process of developing highly innovative Objective One projects to create a Welsh Energy Research Centre and an energy Technium in Pembroke. These facilities will focus on the development of new technologies including marine and tidal energy, which have significant future potential.

We have made a good start in the development and use of renewables technology in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to building on this progress to ensure we provide for our future energy needs with minimal environmental impact.

Our Energy Efficiency Action Plan Energy Saving Wales will be published later this year following extensive consultation. This, together with an effective and realistic planning system, will play a key role in the development of an inclusive and strategic approach to the development and use of renewable technologies.

Climate change is real and is at the heart of our energy policy. Levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have risen by more than a third since the industrial revolution, largely due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.

Clean, renewable forms of energy, such as wind power, are essential if we are to tackle climate change. Wind power creates jobs, is affordable, does not produce waste, nor does it contribute to global warming. It is abundant and reliable, particularly during periods when energy demand is greater!

Wind power, in combination with a full range of renewable energy technologies, such as wave and solar, could meet much of our electricity needs - Denmark already gets 20% of its electricity needs from wind power sources.

Further, technology is being developed to store wind power as hydrogen, which can then be used to power fuel cells in power stations and in vehicles.

Whilst as a government we have a legal duty to deal with the real threat of climate change, as individuals we have an absolute obligation to address this threat for our children, and our grandchildren.

Climate change affects everyone, and everyone has a role to play in reversing the situation. It is simply not practical to ignore the threat, or expect other countries to deal with the problem.

As a government, and as individuals, we need to identify the opportunities presented by renewable technologies, and welcome the benefits they bring, both economic and environmental.

For far more extensive news on the energy/power visit: http://www.energycentral.com .