Extracts from the May-June 2003 edition of Renew
These extracts only represent about 25% of it

8. Green Energy for London

In January, London’s Mayor, Ken Livingstone, formally published yet another version of his Draft Energy Strategy for London "Green Light to Clean Power", earlier consultation versions of which we have reviewed (see Renew 140). The new version suggests that London should ‘work towards reducing its emissions of carbon dioxide by 20% by 2010’, and should adopt an energy hierarchy- a stepped approach to reaching this target:

• Step 1. Use energy efficiently
• Step 2. Use renewable energy
• Step 3. Supply energy efficiently

‘Energy Action Areas’ are proposed as one mechanism for reaching a series targets- offered for comment during yet another round of public consultation. Thus the new strategy document asks for comments on the proposal made by the Sustainable Development Commission that the domestic sector should cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2010 and looks at some of the options for energy conservation in all sectors, including transport.

In terms of energy supply, it suggests that London ‘should aim to supply at least 14% of its electricity from renewables sources by 2010, of which 10% would be through the renewables obligation, the rest from green tariffs and generation within the Greater London area’.

It goes on ‘At least 10,000 domestic photovoltaic schemes should be installed in London, as well as 100 photovoltaic applications on commercial and public buildings and 6 large windturbines, 500 small wind generators associated with public or private sector buildings, 25,000 domestic solar water heating schemes, 2,200 solar water heating schemes associated with swimming pools as well as more anaerobic digestion plants with energy recovery and biomass-fuelled combined heat and power plants’.

The strategy document also calls for Combined Heat and Power capacity to be doubled by 2010 and notes the mayors commitment to the London Hydrogen Partnership. It also noted his opposition to nuclear power. Quite an interesting menu!

The full report and a summary can be accessed in PDF at: http://www.london.gov.uk/