35-strong alliance supports 'no nuclear' in Energy Review

Thirty-five organisations, concerned with securing clean, sustainable energy supplies, have joined forces to issue a joint statement tomorrow in response to the Government’s Energy Policy Review.

'A Sustainable Energy Policy', outlines what priorities and specific policy actions should come out of the Energy Review.

The manifesto is being launched tomorrow at the Houses of Parliament with high level, cross party support.

The manifesto calls on the Government to:

• uphold the vision, objectives and targets of the 2003 Energy White Paper and re-affirm its commitment to all related statutory and non-statutory targets;
• develop the long-term policy framework needed to promote business investment;
• minimise the ‘energy gap’ before trying to fill it, by reducing demand, encouraging efficient energy production and usage, and then boosting renewables;
• focus on sustainable heat and transport as well as electricity; and
• identify a single body responsible for achieving sustainable energy targets.

Spearheading the alliance, Philip Wolfe, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association, said: "This is the last chance for Government to bring forward a sustained package of measures to deliver the objectives set out in 2003. Industry is looking for strong signals so we can invest in the necessary changes to our energy system."

The environmental think tank Green Alliance was the other prime mover in the initiative and its Director, Guy Thompson said: "It is only two years since the last energy review put energy efficiency and renewables at the heart of the fight against climate change. The government needs to grasp the nettle and develop a long term framework that will allow these technologies to deliver the carbon reductions that we so urgently need."

The National Energy Foundation (NEF) is another body joining in. It is urging the Government to do more to encourage small-scale installations of renewable energy across the country and to reduce energy demand.

"Householders can already invest in cost-effective and clean renewable options, including solar water heating, modern wood pellet stoves and ground source heat pumps, but are reluctant to do so owing to a lack of information, and the hassle factor of finding a quality approved installer.

"The Government should address these barriers and encourage greater energy efficiency, rather than focusing on building new large-scale generating capacity, if the UK is to close the 'Energy Gap' and meet its carbon dioxide targets," said Dr Tim Lunel today.

>> National Energy Foundation

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