Wind Energy and renewable energy blog

Coalition Renewable Energy Problems Start to Emerge

Tory Planning Policies and Lib Dem Renewable Policies just don’t add up according to former energy and climate change minister Ed Miliband.

Speaking during a House of Commons debate, Mr Miliband criticised the coalition government saying that their renewables policy doesn’t yet add up because they have Lib Dem targets with Conservative planning policy. He also said their nuclear policy doesn’t add up because they have three positions.

New Planning and Low Carbon Energy Bills Announced in Queen’s Speech

The Queen announced in her parliamentary opening speech today a number of new bills, including a ‘Decentrilisation and Localism Bill’ and an ‘Energy and Green Economy Bill’.

The Energy and Green Economy Bill is expected to encourage improved energy efficiency and the introduction of smart meters throughout the country. The new bill will promote low carbon energy production in England and Wales with the possibility of some areas of the bill applying to Scotland too.

Legislation will be put in place to facilitate green home loans, however uncertainties surround the future of renewable energy incentives and control over power station emissions.

Adopt a Wind Turbine

The European Wind Energy Association has launched a new campaign encouraging people to ‘adopt a wind turbine‘.

The ‘Give Europe a Breath of Fresh Air’ campaign aims to show that wind energy is a mainstream power source that EWEA believes could power Europe seven times over.

EWEA say that European countries are the world leaders in wind energy and that wind energy creates green jobs, lowers electricity prices and emits no C02.

Coalition Changes to Planning System Based on Conservative Ideas

The UK Government is set to make changes to the planning system and it has been confirmed that these will be in line with the Conservative Green Paper ‘Open Source Planning‘ released prior to the election.

The Coalition’s new “Programme for Government” believes it is time for a shift of power from Westminster to local authorities giving new powers to local councils, neighbourhoods and individuals.

The Programme confirms the previous Tory goals of reviewing local government finance, abolishing regional spatial strategies and the Infrastructure Planning Commission and promoting ‘Home on the Farm’ schemes that encourage farmers to convert existing buildings in the middle of nowhere into affordable housing for people who have no cars.

Solar Power To Increase Fivefold Across the UK

With the roll out of solar panels expected to increase fivefold since the introduction of the Government’s new feed in tariff, many developers are now looking to the sun aswell as the wind to generate electricity.

Green Party Set to Gather Disaffected Lib Dems

The Green Party has asked Lib Dem voters not happy with Nick Clegg joining forces with the Tories to talk to the Greens instead.

Green Party MSP Patrick Harvie said “Lib Dem members and supporters did not work hard over the last weeks and months to see their party become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tories“. He said the Liberal Conservative coalition decision “will be the death-knell for the Lib Dems here in Scotland“.

Liberal Conservative Coalition – What has been Agreed on Energy and Climate Change?

It’s official, the Conservatives have formed a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. As a result we have a Liberal Democrat cabinet minister for energy and climate change – Chris Huhne.

In 2007 Chris Hulne said “The doubling of our electricity generation from wind in a little more than a year shows what renewables can do, and gives the lie to the need for a new generation of nuclear power.“. It is ironic therefore that he will ultimately be responsible for nuclear power station planning applications.

What Could the UK Election Results Mean for future Energy Policy?

In the face of the first UK hung parliament since 1974, the media has been dominated by talks of what happens next.

A potential Conservative/ Lib Dem coalition has to date been the most discussed. We know however that the Conservatives and the Lib Dems have major policy differences on electoral reform, the economy and immigration.

Overall the Lib Dems appear to have more in common with Labour – from the timing of public spending cuts to electoral reform and creating a green economy. With the major Lib-Lab differences limited to ID cards and immigration, the match looks much cleaner. Labour however did poorly in the election and even with Gordon Brown offering to resign it looks like a deal with the Conservatives is the more realistic option on the table.

So -if the Conservatives and the Lib Dems do manage somehow to overcome their differences – what would be the outcome for UK energy policy?

Google Invests In Wind Power Technology

Green solutions and technologies are needed now more than ever. Yet, many continue to be hard to find and implement on a broad scale.

Sustainability efforts from large corporations are increasing, yet our dependence on fossil fuels remains steadfast. Mining and drilling for fossil fuels can be dangerous and costly, and the planet is constantly reminding us that it’s the one paying the price. It’s here that we see plenty of opportunity for clean and renewable energies to become part of the landscape. With the right funding and investment, renewable energy technology like wind power could help turn the tide when it comes to environmental concerns.

Friends of the Earth Say Cameron Must Do More for the Environment

Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth (FOE) has today urged David Cameron to double his efforts on Environmental issues.

The FOE statement follows a call to party leaders for determined action to tackle climate change.

FOE wrote to the three biggest party leaders asking them to show that climate change is a priority in their manifestos and requesting confirmation of actions that will be taken. The letter was signed by over 8000 people. In addition FOE has asked candidate MP’s to sign a pledge to tackle climate change.

Google Denies Renewable Energy Trader Intentions

Google has denied rumours that it is set to become and energy trader at a GreenNet conference in San Francisco last week.

With hundreds of millions of customers, Google uses mammoth computer infrastructure to keep everything going. However Google’s carbon reduction intentions have been well publicised over the last year. From biofuel diesel shuttle buses to take staff to its HQ offices to ‘edible gardens’ where food for its onsite cafes is grown, Google is keen on green corporate social responsibility.