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Less than five per cent of energy forecast to come from renewables by 2020
A major report published today reveals the huge challenge one of the UK's leading regions faces if it is to play its part in meeting the proposed 15 per cent renewables commitment for the UK. The analysis concludes that meeting a 15% or even a 20% target is possible within the South West, but only with big and rapid changes to national policy and greater local support for renewable energy. On our current trajectory we are likely to generate less than 5% of energy consumed within the region by 2020.
Matthew Spencer, chief executive of Regen SW said: "To meet the commitment within the next 600 weeks, the region we will have to reduce heat and power demand by at least 20 per cent and dramatically increase deployment of all on and offshore renewable technologies. One of the biggest surprises of our analysis was the very high levels of renewable electricity needed to meet the target because of the low starting point of renewable heat and likely constraints on renewable transport fuel. It suggests that government scenarios have overestimated the maximum speed of growth of the renewable heat market and underestimated the impact of the 2020 target on electricity markets. There are major opportunities to retrofit renewable heat in existing buildings, but the market will take time to develop after years of neglect. First amongst equals amongst the renewable technologies is offshore wind, which will be critical for reaching higher levels of renewable electricity generation in the region"
"The overriding conclusion is challenging, but positive" added Matthew. "The South West region is in a strong position to raise its game on delivery if we can get the enabling actions and the support that we need from national government."
Jonny Boston, energy manager at the South West RDA, which contributed to the analysis, said: "As an RDA we are leading the region towards a low-carbon economy, unlocking business potential. Whilst the report highlights the huge scale of the challenge, it also sets out the opportunity. The UK renewable energy market is expected to grow 10-fold over the next 12 years, and we therefore expect to see significant growth in the region's renewables sector - which is already worth £215m each year and is a central component of a low-carbon economy - although access to the right resources from Government will be essential for the region to deliver on the findings of the report."
Other key findings include:
- Reducing power and heat demand by around 20 per cent is central to making these levels of generation possible. The absence of a successful energy demand reduction programme will require an additional 4 terawatt hours (Twh) of renewable energy production in the region, equivalent to the electricity produced by 500 large wind turbines.
- Using renewable heat in existing buildings could deliver twice the renewable energy generation of new buildings constructed to zero carbon standards. Over 200,000 south west homes, which are off the gas grid and using expensive fuels such as heating oil, are likely to replace their boilers before 2020, and could be encouraged to install renewable heat technology.
- Offshore wind is critical to achieving a 15 per cent target, but requires installation of wind turbines in moderate-depth water of up to 50 metres, which is beyond current installation depths.
- Achieving a 15 per cent target could result in the equivalent of two thirds of the region's total electricity consumption being generated from renewable sources.
The report, conducted by Regen SW in association with the South West RDA, was informed by a series of technical studies and workshops with energy businesses and regional policy makers. It identifies 15 opportunities for the South West and 17 specific actions needed from national government that, coupled with the resources to deliver them, will enable the region to realise its potential. The report has been sent to John Hutton, the secretary of state for business, as a contribution to the government's consultation on its draft Renewable Energy Strategy.
To read the full report, visit www.regensw.co.uk/road-to-2020
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Notes to editors
About the 2020 report
The full 2020 report, including the process that was gone through to produce it, the purpose, the approach, and details of the workshop participants can be viewed at www.regensw.co.uk/road-to-2020.
Or to view the report's technical appendix, visit www.regensw.co.uk/2020-technical-appendix
About Regen SW
Regen SW, which receives its core funding from the South West of England Regional Development Agency, is the sustainable energy agency for South West England. It was previously the region's renewable energy agency, and it now has an extended remit to include energy efficiency.
Regen SW's purpose is to speed up the transition to a low carbon economy in the South West England. It works to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy, champion energy efficiency initiatives and to grow the region's sustainable energy businesses.
The South West RDA has invested more than £3.3 million of funding to Regen SW since 2002.
About the South West RDA
The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It works in partnership with public, private and social purpose organisations to drive up the region's productivity by giving people the skills they need, encouraging enterprise, improving infrastructure, regenerating places, and promoting the strengths of the region. For more information see www.southwestrda.org.uk
For further information
Please contact James Reddy, Regen SW communications manager on 01392 474322/07967 835947 or email jreddy@regensw.co.uk
