黑洞社区

Investment in green energy is at risk of drying-up after an amendment to the Energy Bill that would have forced the govement to set a target for decarbonising electricity supply in the UK by 2030 was defeated in Parliament.

The amendment was designed to encourage further investment in the green energy sector, but was voted down in parliament this afternoon, by 290 votes to 267.

The amendment would have forced the government to set a target for decarbonising a portion of the UK鈥檚 electricity supply by 2030 within a year.

The government鈥檚 version of the bill merely gives the energy secretary the power to set a decarbonisation target in 2016, with no firm commitment to doing so.

The amendment had been supported by a number of green campaign groups and Lord Alan Sugar.

The government鈥檚 own climate watchdog, the Committee on Climate Change, published a report last month saying such a move is necessary to ensure investor confidence in the green energy sector.

Tim Yeo, Conservative MP and chair of the energy and climate change committee, who put forward the amendment said it was a 鈥渕issed opportunity鈥�.

鈥淯nfortunately this could mean that urgently needed investment in our energy infrastructure will be slower and the risk of a capacity crisis greater.鈥�

鈥淭he continuing uncertainty that will result increases the perceived risk of investment and will therefore raise capital costs, meaning that consumers may ultimately pay more for the new power plants that need to be built.鈥�

He said it would be harder for the UK to meet its longer term carbon reduction targets

Yeo implored the House of Lords to amend the bill to include the requirement to set a decarbonisation target in the near future. 

Gaynor Hartnell, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association, said the result it was 鈥渄isappointing鈥�.

She added: 鈥淚t makes an EU-level renewables target for 2030 even more important, something the 鈥榞reenest government ever鈥� is also opposing in Europe. Failing to decarbonise our electricity supply industry will have long term consequences both environmentally and economically.鈥�

John Alker, director of policy and communications at the UK Green 黑洞社区 Council, said:  鈥淭here was a remarkable degree of consensus, from both private sector and NGOs, about the importance of a decarbonisation target in the Bill.

鈥淪ome coalition MPs chose to listen to the evidence and stand up and be counted this afternoon 鈥� sadly, not quite enough.

鈥淭he real danger is that this sends another signal to business that Government isn鈥檛 serious enough about the future direction of travel on carbon, when progressive businesses are crying out for political leadership and policy certainty.鈥�

The Energy Bill, without Yeo鈥檚 amendment, was later passed by a vote of 396 to eight.

Energy secretary Ed Davey said: 鈥淎 clear message has been sent to investors that we are providing the security they need to work with us to revolutionise the energy sector and produce cleaner energy, keep the lights on and people鈥檚 bills down.鈥�