James Wilde, Director of Innovation and Policy at the Carbon
Trust said:
"The Government's decision to reduce the support provided to
onshore wind by 10% is sensible as it is based upon evidence of
costs falling. Given the importance of investor confidence, it is
essential that the outcomes of any future reviews are also based on
clear evidence.
For offshore wind, which has a much larger role to play in
meeting the UK's carbon targets, the Government has set out the
trajectory for cost reduction which the industry must meet to be
commercial. We believe this will be challenging but achievable with
a concerted effort from industry and government to accelerate cost
reduction through innovation. The Carbon Trust is working closely
with industry to try to achieve this.
It is vital to continue to support renewables given that they
are a key pillar of the UK's strategy to meet our carbon targets.
It is equally important to get the UK's gas strategy right. That is
where we have real concerns. For gas to continue to play a role
beyond 2030, as is now proposed, any new and existing gas power
plants will need to be equipped with carbon capture and storage
technology by this time. For the UK to meet is carbon targets, a
concerted effort is needed to ensure CCS is developed over the next
twenty years. That needs to be reflected in the Government's gas
strategy due in the Autumn.
The benefits to the UK economy of low carbon energy are
significant and should not be overlooked. Recent Carbon Trust
research shows that innovation in offshore wind alone could achieve
economic value to the UK from exports of up to £35 billion by
2050."
Read more on Carbon Trust work on technology innovation and offshore
wind.