UK Energy Policies and Strategy

Energy Review (2006) – The Energy Challenge

The Government's report on the Energy Review was released on 11 July 2006, examining the UK’s progress against the goals set out by the 2003 Energy White Paper and considers options for further steps for these to be achieved.

Addressing the key issues of climate change and security of supply, the review clearly opens the door to a new generation of nuclear power stations and puts increased emphasis on renewable energy sources, such as wind, water and solar.

The review also clearly supports electricity as the fuel of the future, with secure, low-cost supplies meaning that the UK will be increasingly self-sufficient for energy in years to come.

Saving energy is another strand of the review, with clearer information for consumers on fuel bills and incentives to make their homes more fuel-efficient.

Clean electricity generation is a key element of the review and proposes that electricity companies should provide 20% of energy from renewable sources, while the development of carbon capture technology to tackle the high CO2 emissions from coal-fired power stations is promoted.

Microgeneration is high on the agenda, with support for smaller scale heat and electricity generators – such as bio mass, solar power and heat pumps – to provide low carbon alternatives for consumers.

A new Energy White Paper will be issued at the end of 2006 to guide energy policy for the next 30-40 years.

Click here to download the executive summary of the Energy Review report

Click here to download a copy of the full Energy Review report.