Britain Set to Miss Targets on Renewable Energy

Aug 13 - Evening Standard; London (UK)

By PIPPA CRERAR

BRITAIN has no hope of hitting targets to get 20 per cent of the country's energy from wind, solar and wave power by 2020, officials have warned.

An internal briefing paper suggests looking at ways to "wriggle out" of the European Union green energy commitment.

Environmental groups and opposition MPs accused the Government of "living a lie" by promising targets they knew they could not meet. Officials at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform admit they are unlikely to get more than nine per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Getting above the current two per cent would be "challenging" and under current policies green energy sources would account for only five per cent by 2020.

Former prime minister Tony Blair signed Britain up to the new EU renewables target of 20 per cent at an environmental summit in the spring. The paper suggests that Britain lobbies EU commissioners for a more flexible interpretation of the target.

Rajiv Bhatia, head of renewable energy distributor Altenergy said: "This is betrayal of the highest order." The briefing paper, leaked to The Guardian, says it would cost Britain 4 billion a year to get to nine per cent by 2020.

A DBERR spokesman would not comment on leaked documents, but added: "This Government is committed to reducing emissions in line with EU targets."