Renew On Line (UK) 39

Extracts from the Sept-Oct 2002 edition of Renew
These extracts only represent about 25% of it

5. 30% from Welsh Renewables by 2010 ?

Friends of the Earth Cymru have launched a campaign calling for economic policies to encourage and enable the generation of over 30% of current Welsh electricity demand from renewable sources by 2010. They want to have 6 Terawatt hours per year to be supplied from renewable sources - currently Wales consumes 20 TWhrs/year and exports 10TWh p.a. to England. The call comes in response to the Assemblys Economic Development Committee’s Public Consultation on renewable energy targets.

The campaigners say that if Wales achieves 30% of electricity generation by renewables in eight to nine years time then Wales will give a strong lead, by example, in the global move to green electricity production. In the process, the renewable energy industry will support a healthy fabric of employment in rural hills, Valley towns, historic ports and seaside resorts. FOE Cymru point out that renewable energy schemes such as windfarms, biomass and hydro schemes, under sea turbines and tidal lagoons generally are, or are forecast by the Government to be, mostly cheaper than fossil fuels and nuclear power, onshore wind significantly so.

Clearly a 30% renewable electricity target by 2010 is very ambitious, even Scotland is only thinking of 30% by 2020, but the campaigners have itemised how 30% or more is feasible and how it could be achieved. Its not all about onshore windfarms which only comprise between 6-10% of the group’s target. The overall proposals include 15% from onshore and 15% from offshore technologies: They note that there may also be other demonstration technologies by 2010 such as geothermal and offshore wave power schemes.

FOE Cymru say that ‘the target is in part aspirational because the Assembly does not yet have planning powers for power stations over 50 MW or offshore schemes. The Assembly and the Welsh public should call for the relevant powers to be devolved, rather than the possible transfer back of major schemes determination by Westminster under Lord Falconer’s proposals. In the meantime, investing to maximise shoreside installation, maintenance and particularly manufacturing jobs could create employment especially in hard-pressed Objective One areas.’

Neil Crumpton, energy spokesperson for the group said ‘By investing in renewable energy technologies, which can create electricity and employment in both rural and urban areas across Wales, we also attack global warming emissions at source. We estimate that a thirty percent target for current Welsh electricity demand to be generated by renewable energy technologies by 2010 is both advisable and achievable. Indeed, the switch from coal to gas generated electricity in the 1990’s, known as the dash for gas, resulted in the building of new power stations totaling 33% of all power station capacity in England and Wales. The difference here is that renewable energy schemes generate clean, safe and secure electricity supplies essentially for ever, all from indigenous natural resources. Whats more, most renewable energy technologies will, or are already producing electricity which is cheaper than that from the global warming villains of coal and oil and for some even gas. Wales could also have the worlds first tidal lagoon generator currently being planned for Swansea Bay.’

Contact: Neil Crumpton on Bethesda 01248 602840. We will be carrying full details of this ambitious plan in Renew 140.

Go ahead for UK’s largest wind farm

Despite the local opposition campaign (see Renew 137) Brian Wilson, Energy Minister, has given final consent to the 58.5 MW windfarm at Cefn Croes, Ceredigion. ‘My decision was only taken after extensive and thorough consideration of the representations I received both for and against’ he said, adding that ‘I have not used my discretionary power to call a public inquiry because all parties have already taken the opportunity to inform me of their concerns’, and the local council had not objected.