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BWEA Press ReleaseFriday 11th February 2005BWEA statement on the publication of the National Audit Office report on Renewable EnergyBWEA, which champions on and offshore wind power and wave and tidal technologies, welcomes this thorough and insightful analysis of the nation's policies to develop our vast renewable energy resource. The report sends encouraging messages that our 10% renewables target is within reach. It has also identified the key role that on and offshore wind will need to play in reaching it. This report, like others, confirms that wind is critical to our near term objectives and, due to its technical and economic maturity, should make up three quarters of our 2010 target. The NAO report has also highlighted that meeting our renewables target is dependent on maintaining good progress in overcoming planning and grid re-enforcement barriers. It sends a powerful message that maintaining investor confidence through stable Government policy is key to maintaining the momentum built up over the past few years. BWEA agrees with the NAO's analysis that the Renewables Obligation is effective in supporting near commercial technologies such as onshore wind and landfill gas. However, other key technologies necessary to deliver on our 2010 target and 2020 objectives, such as offshore wind, wave and tidal and bioenergy, will almost certainly require short-term additional support whilst they achieve the cost-savings already achieved for onshore wind. BWEA looks forward to working with all parts of Government to ensure that we as a nation reach our short-term renewable goals thereby ensuring we play our part in meeting our 2010 climate goals. This report is published in a year of record growth for the UK wind industry, with some 600 megawatts (MW) of new capacity under construction and due for commissioning before the end of the year. This will increase wind power's contribution to the UK electricity portfolio to some 1.5% of total supply, with approved projects representing an additional 2% of supply waiting in the wings. The results of the modelling by Oxera for the NAO report echo the findings of an industry survey carried out by BWEA. Both predict that deployment of wind power both on and offshore should meet some 7.5% of UK supply by 2010, approximately three-quarters of the Government's 2010 renewable energy target - and also represents an investment of £7 billion up to 2010. For press queries contact Dr Gordon Edge, Head of Offshore:t 020 7689 1967 or email gordon@bwea.com Notes
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