Scientists urge ‘fundamental change’ in energy policy
Britain is likely to face energy shortages unless “fundamental changes” are made, the country’s top scientists have warned.
A new report compiled by the executive director of the UK Energy Research Centre, John Loughhead, and based on research by 150 experts, warns that Britain must urgently address how it uses and obtains its energy sources.
The study says the supply of energy is likely to become less secure and more expensive in the coming years, and urges the government to address the issue to avoid a fall in Britain’s standard of living.
“Energy will inevitably become less available and more expensive than it has been for the last few decades,” concludes the report, which is based on a two-day conference held under the auspices of the Geological Society of London last month.
“The change will be permanent. Adapting to this scenario while maintaining the UK’s standard of living will require fundamental changes in the way we produce and use energy.”
It urges the government to encourage the development of energy initiatives, such as carbon capture and storage, through providing more market incentives and increased regulation of the energy sector.
The report also insists that nuclear energy should continue to play a key role in the UK’s future clean energy plans, calling for the nuclear debate “to be conducted “in an open and participative way”.
On renewable forms of energy, the report concludes that they will play a part, but that fossil fuels will continue to provide the bulk of British energy requirements.
Mr Loughhead added that the public have a key role in addressing the energy gap crisis by examining their own energy consumption and making improvements to energy efficiency within the home.
Responding to the report, shadow energy minister Bernard Jenkin said the government was guilty of “total failure” in dealing with this issue, in particular by failing to hold an urgent review of energy policy in the immediate aftermath of the general election.
“Mr Blair says there will be an energy review next year, but for the energy industry to invest in new plans to guarantee our future electricity supplies, decisions need to be taken now. They should have been taken years ago,” he said.
