{"id":8259,"date":"2019-03-07T01:31:49","date_gmt":"2019-03-07T01:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.styledeals.co.uk\/blog\/climate-change-government-deal-to-boost-offshore-wind\/"},"modified":"2019-03-07T01:31:49","modified_gmt":"2019-03-07T01:31:49","slug":"climate-change-government-deal-to-boost-offshore-wind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.styledeals.co.uk\/blog\/climate-change-government-deal-to-boost-offshore-wind\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate change: Government deal to boost offshore wind"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"WindImage copyright<\/span>
\n PA<\/span><\/p>\n

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A deal confirmed between the UK government and the wind industry will ensure 30% of electricity comes from offshore wind by 2030.<\/p>\n

The move will help the UK towards an aim of securing almost all its power from low-carbon sources by 2030.<\/p>\n

It is the latest in a series of agreements with sectors of the economy that are likely to create jobs.<\/p>\n

But environmentalists are wondering where the other 70% of the UK\u2019s clean electricity will come from. <\/p>\n

That is because, for several years, government economists have foreseen a three-pronged energy policy by 2030.<\/p>\n

First power from world’s biggest wind farm<\/a><\/p>\n

So what are the future energy sources?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Civil servants have projected that 30% of electricity would come from offshore wind, 30% from nuclear and 30% from gas power stations fitted with technology to capture their carbon emissions and bury them.<\/p>\n

But here is the reality – it is now confirmed that wind will fulfil its part by 2030. <\/p>\n

But plans to expand nuclear are foundering; indeed the UK may end up at worst with just one new nuclear station – at Hinkley – instead of the planned six.<\/p>\n

As for gas with carbon capture, there is only a single such power plant planned at commercial scale. And that is stuck in the proposal stage.<\/p>\n

The government promises it will meet pledges to keep the lights on and cut emissions. <\/p>\n

Its commitment is for offshore wind to produce 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, creating thousands of so-called \u201cgreen collar\u201d jobs in the process. Young people are especially attracted to jobs in the environment sector.<\/p>\n

But green groups believe much more is needed \u2013 probably half as much again (45GW).<\/p>\n

What do environmentalists say?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Image copyright<\/span>
\n EDF<\/span><\/p>\n

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Image caption<\/span>
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\n The UK could end up with just one new nuclear station – at Hinkley – instead of the planned six
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John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said: “Now the government’s plans for a fleet of new nuclear reactors has collapsed, it leaves Britain with a big energy gap in future. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt means the latest offshore wind target of 30GW by 2030 is woefully inadequate. <\/p>\n

\u201cWind and solar must be tripled between now and 2030, with offshore wind the future backbone of the UK’s energy system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel Reeves, chair of the Commons business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) committee said: “Investment decisions over nuclear plants such as Moorside and Wylfa have left the UK facing a giant hole in its energy policy. <\/p>\n

\u201cGiven that dirty coal is due to go off-line, and the prospects for nuclear looking uncertain, it\u2019s vital the government comes forward with a Plan B to plug the energy gap.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are there alternatives?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some analysts are more relaxed. Richard Black from the think-tank Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) thinks three new nuclear plants are likely \u2013 and he believes the market will sort out the 2030 problem.<\/p>\n

He told BBC News: “Delivery of new nuclear stations at Hinkley, Sizewell and Bradwell, which looks likely, would provide about 20% of electricity demand.<\/p>\n

“Gas will be providing about 15%, and there’ll be a bit of biomass on the system too.<\/p>\n

“As for the rest – new onshore wind needs no subsidy, and offshore wind and solar are at the tipping point of being subsidy-free. So it’s reasonable to expect all three to be built through the open market.”<\/p>\n

Follow Roger on Twitter.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n