The Government’s energy review emphasises the importance of considering nuclear power, increasing energy efficiency, and using renewable energy sources.
The Government's energy review report, "The Energy Challenge", was released on 11 July 2006. It addresses the two major long-term challenges in UK energy policy:
- reducing carbon dioxide emissions to tackle climate change
- reducing our dependence on imported energy and ensuring a secure supply of clean affordable energy
Against a background of declining domestic energy supplies, rising fuel prices and aging power stations, the review sets out four policy goals:
- cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050
- ensuring a reliable energy supply
- promoting competitive markets in the UK and beyond
- adequate and affordable heating for every home
Suggested solutions include:
- new nuclear power stations: a mix of energy supplies is essential and new nuclear sources could make a significant contribution
- energy efficiency: homeowners need help to understand and reduce their energy bills, while large organisations need to reduce emissions
- renewables: we should increase the proportion of electricity generated from renewables to 20%, a five-fold increase from current levels
- British oil: the government will act to exploit remaining reserves
- carbon trading: the EU emissions trading scheme needs to be strengthened to work more effectively