The Renewable Energy Strategy

The Renewable Energy Strategy (July 2009) sets out the measures necessary to deliver the UK's target of generating 15% of total energy from renewable sources by 2020, as its contribution to the EU's 20% target.  The figure shows how far UK renewable energy capacity must increase to achieve this. The Strategy is a daughter document of the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan - the National Strategy for Climate and Energy and sets out how the UK will meet the cut in emissions set out in the budget of 34% on 1990 levels by 2020. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/publications/lc_trans_plan/lc_trans_plan.aspx

Source: DECC internal analysis published in the UK Renewable Energy Strategy (2009)

The Strategy proposes a lead scenario that could see:

• More than 30% of our electricity generated from renewables up from 5.5% today
• 12% of our heat generated from renewables up from very low levels today
• 10% of transport energy from renewables

The Strategy acknowledges the role that central, regional and local Government will need to play in delivering this scenario.  This will involve:

• Providing financial support for renewable electricity and heat through the Renewables Obligation and the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation and a new Renewable Heat Incentive and "Feed-In Tariffs".
• Driving delivery and clearing away barriers through the work of the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment.  This body (a part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change) will drive delivery of the targets through the planning system.
• Increasing investment in emerging technologies and pursuing new sources of supply including wave and todal energy.
• Creating new opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses to harness renewable energy through mechanims to support small-scale renewable heat and electricity generation.

The Strategy sets out that Local Authorities have a significant role to play in delivering more renewable energy capacity through the development application process and a strategic approach that maps opportunities rather than 'no go' areas.