The paper describes ways in which the UK can reduce its dependence on imported oil and gas by making the most of the region’s reserves in the North Sea. In addition, the paper proposes that as a third of the UK’s energy generation capacity is due to close in the next 20 years, a focus on low carbon and nuclear technology are necessary.
There are manifold proposals within the government’s white paper, including a GBP20 million low carbon transport innovation strategy for public procurement of low carbon vehicles, and plans to triple the amount of renewable electricity generated in the UK by 2015.
The paper also contains plans for a biomass strategy, and details the building of the world’s first end-to-end carbon capture and storage plant, which will deliver at least 300MW capacity, 90% CO2 saving, and be up and running between 2011 and 2014.
On a domestic basis, the paper outlines plans to introduce displays monitoring electricity use for households until 2010, while, on a commercial basis, it sets out a carbon reduction commitment for large organizations such as banks.
The government also hopes the that UK strategies, which it believes have the potential to cut carbon emissions by between 23 million and 33 million tonnes of carbon by 2020, will prompt fast-growing regions such as India and China to enhance their energy efficiency.
The paper pays particular attention to the role that new nuclear power stations could play in cutting emissions and diversifying UK energy supply. The government voiced its preliminary view that it is in the public interest to give private sector energy companies the option of investing in new nuclear power stations and is publishing a consultation paper to assess this.
This announcement was backed by French utility Electricite de France (EDF), which said that it plans to put its experience in the nuclear sector to use in British nuclear projects. Indeed, in conjunction with French construction group Areva, EDF plans to submit a request for certification of a model of an EPR power station.
