Renewables could be UK's major power source by 2030: WWF

[kristopher]

Renewables could be UK's major power source by 2030: WWF
Report says up to 90% of electricity could come from wind, solar, tidal and other sustainable sources - without the need for nuclear
Damian Carrington guardian.co.uk

The UK could be primarily powered by a secure and inexhaustible supply of renewable energy by 2030 without the need for new nuclear power plants, according to a report commissioned by WWF. Between 60% and 90% of the nation's electricity could come from wind, solar, tidal and other sustainable sources, with the rest supplied via an international supergrid and gas power stations.

"This report is inspiring, but also entirely realistic. It shows that a clean, renewable energy future really is within our grasp," said David Nussbaum, chief executive of WWF-UK. "Failure to commit to a high-renewables future would leave us facing the prospect of dangerous levels of climate change and high energy prices."

The soaring cost of energy bills has become a major political issue, with the prime minister, David Cameron, recently convening a meeting of industry energy leaders. The new report notes that meeting an existing 2020 renewable energy target will increase household bills by 4%, but that this could be more than offset by cuts in usage through better energy efficiency.

"Developing a low carbon and sustainable power sector in the UK is first and foremost a question of political will," concludes the report, which comes at a time when the Conservative party's commitment to be the "greenest government ever" is being seriously questioned...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/oct/25/uk-renewables-2030-wwf