Minister to reveal wind and nuclear strategy but says renewables target of 15% by 2020 'a stretch'Energy secretary Chris Huhne will today set out the government's policy to secure the
UK's
energy supplies amid warnings of a potential power crisis.The government will also publish a series of suggestions as to how the UK can meet its commitment to reduce emissions by 80% by mid-century.Ahead of the first annual energy statement to Parliament today, Huhne gave his backing to more wind power, as he said it was vital the UK became more independent in its energy supplies.And while he said there was no public money for nuclear energy, he expected there would be private investment in new nuclear plants.The economy would become increasingly electrified, for example with more
electric cars, and it was imperative to have a whole array of power sources in the country to increase energy independence, he said.He also said that meeting EU targets to source 15% of all energy, including for heating and transport, from renewables by 2020 was "a stretch", but it was important to provide a guarantee against potential soaring oil and gas prices.Ahead of today's statement, Graeme Leach, director of policy at the Institute of Directors, said UK energy policy was not sufficiently focused on mitigating the "very serious risk" of power cuts in the middle of this decade."The message from business to the new government is unambiguous: deal with the energy security problem and start dealing with it now. This will mean a fast-track planning process and a large building programme of new nuclear power stations, as well as more development of renewables providing they are cost-effective.Friends of the Earth's sustainable energy advisor Alan Simpson welcomed Huhne's backing for wind power, but cautioned against new nuclear plants and cutting spending on green technology."When it comes to
renewable energy the UK has been in the slow lane for far too long and without urgent action we ris ...
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