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BWEA Press ReleaseTuesday 25th January 2005UK Wind Industry Welcomes Climate Task Force Recommendations for Renewables ExpansionBWEA, the UK's leading renewable energy association, warmly welcomes today's publication of the recommendation by the International Climate Change Task Force for G8 countries to generate 25% of their electricity needs from renewables by 2025. The task force's report, 'Meeting the Climate Challenge', comes as the UK takes over presidency of the G8, with the Prime Minister committing to put climate change at the top of the agenda. Marcus Rand, Chief Executive of BWEA, said: "The UK wind industry strongly supports this recommendation for an eight-fold expansion in the use of renewables. A strong renewables target for G8 nations backed up with positive policies is essential to send the long term business signals to industry to encourage them to make the investments in the solutions to climate change. Wind energy in the UK and throughout the G8 has a leading role to play in delivering affordable carbon-free power for the foreseeable future." The report comes on the heels of a record year of progress for the UK wind industry, with new capacity built in 2004 almost triple that of the previous year and a further 60% expansion predicted in 2005. An industry survey carried out by BWEA shows that the sector is well on track to meet Government expectations of this technology, with expansion out to 2010 estimated to be some 7,500 megawatts (MW). This new capacity, likely to be developed half onshore and half offshore, represents some 7.5% of the nation's electricity needs, approximately three-quarters of the Government's 2010 renewable energy target. It also represents an investment of £7 billion over the next five years. Meeting these targets would require the installation of an additional 2,000 turbines onshore and 1,500 offshore, potentially creating hundreds of local jobs as well as generating clean green power for the UK. Notes:
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