Fear of green UK target miss

Published on 19/03/2013 00:00

JUST 4 per cent of firms working in the alternative power industry believe that the UK has a “good” chance of hitting its 2020 target of meeting 15 per cent of its energy needs from renewables, according to a survey.

Figures from the Renewable Energy Association (REA) show two-thirds of businesses think the lack of a “decarbonisation” target in the UK government’s Energy Bill – which would limit how much carbon dioxide power stations can emit – sends a “poor” signal to investors.

REA chief executive Gaynor Hartnell said: “The UK has to achieve a higher growth rate than any other European Union member state in order to reach its 2020 renewables target.

“Mixed messages remain a problem. The prize is up to 400,000 jobs by 2020, economic growth and greatly-improved energy security.”