UK Accuessed of Blocking EU Green Plans
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July 26 – British negotiators have been accused of dampening the plans of the European Union to provide renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, priority access to national energy grids, The Guardian reported on July 24. The allegation of Britain’s negative role in the EU’s new directive, aimed at hastening the uptake of renewable energy and generate 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020, has come merely a month after UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged to implement a “green revolution” based on clean technology.
According to the newspaper, documents indicate that British representatives have been insisting on amending the directive so that the interests of traditional energy suppliers and the existing coal, gas and nuclear power stations in the UK could be protected. Currently, the EU’s directive states, “Member states shall also provide for priority access to the grid system of electricity produced from renewable energy sources.” However, the documents show that the UK is asking for the replacement of “shall” with “may.” This replacement, if done, could have substantial implication on network balancing, and seriously weaken the directive’s purpose.
Luxembourg MEP Claude Turmes, who had drafted the renewables legislation, said that the amendment would drive everyone backwards and weaken the possibilities of connecting renewable energy to the grid. “A government that says it wants to promote renewables cannot go for other policies behind the scenes,” Turmes added.
However, a Department for Business spokesman said, “Priority access for renewables is not necessary for us to meet our fair share of the renewables target. What renewables operators want is quicker access to the grid, not priority access.” The Department for Business has said that the allegation was false and that the country was already taking measures to help renewable energy suppliers link up to the National Grid.
Meanwhile, a recent report from the Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills has indicated that wind power projects totaling 9.3 gigawatts are currently waiting to be connected to the National Grid.
Alternatio Cirqui, EconomyWatch.com Energy Correspondent
