MPs have warned that the UK will fail to meet it's targets on renewable energy generation, with the take up of clean fuels for heating and transport falling badly behind it's aims.
The findings of the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECC) show that ministers have no clear plan for meeting the 2020 target of 15% of all energy coming from renewable sources.
This includes a target to generate 30% of electricity from wind, solar, and other low carbon sources by the end of the decade, and to generate 12% of heating energy and 10% of transport fuels from clean sources by the same date. However, the UK is not legally bound to meet the heat target, it is only advisory.
Although the targets were all set under the EU's renewable energy plan, ministers are still required to meet them despite the Brexit vote. If current trends continue, the target for renewable electricity is likely to be met. However, the proportion of renewable energy used for transport has fallen in the last year, with heating still remaining a significant problem as there are few options available other than fossil fuels. For instance, ground source heat pumps are difficult to install and biofuels, made from plants, are controversial
Angus MacNeil, the Scottish National party MP who chairs the Committee, said: "The experts we spoke to were clear: the UK will miss its 2020 renewable energy targets without major policy improvements. Failing to meet these would damage the UK's reputation for climate change leadership. The Government must take urgent action on heat and transport to renew it's efforts on decarbonisation."
MPs have said that the rearrangement of Government departments, that has resulted in the closure of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), could be an opportunity for renewed focus on meeting the targets. However, they also warned that these priorities could be lost as ministers cope with the implications of leaving the EU.
Dr Robert Gross, director of the centre for energy policy and technology at Imperial College London, has said that even in electricity generation, progress was slowing due to Government policy. He also highlighted that the Conservative Government's decision to end public support for onshore wind last year, and to slash support for solar power and offshore wind, was making a major difference. "Leaving the EU does not mean that the UK can simply forget these targets." He added. "UK legislation is predicted on them. The UK still wishes to take a leading role in the climate debate, and backsliding on targets is not consistent with doing so."
Sir Brian Heap, research associate at the centre for development studies at the University of Cambridge, called on ministers saying that, "More research and effective policy decisions are needed to achieve the targets which should be addressed urgently."
However, a Government spokeswoman said: "Our policy is providing secure, affordable and clean energy. Renewable energy already makes up about 25% of our electricity and we're on track to hit our overall targets."
