19 June 2012
Ed Davey proclaims Britain world leader in offshore wind power
Energy secretary Ed Davey, speaking at the Global Offshore Wind Power conference, has mounted a robust defense of wind power. “I believe truly cost-competitive offshore wind is less than a decade away," he said. Davey said that Britain had gone from being “the new kid in class to being the star pupil" on offshore wind. He estimated that the global market for renewables at £3 trillion and growing, and advised British companies to think internationally to take a share of this market. “China aims to get 20% of its primary energy from renewable resources by 2020," he said. Responding to accusations of political interference in energy policy, he said: "It's time to take the politics out of wind power. Eight out of ten people support renewable energy. Our renewables target is not up for grabs. Securing a clean energy future is a matter of strategic national interest." By 2020 wind power is expected to produce a large proportion of the UK's power needs, according to Renewable UK. It already has 1,858 GW of offshore wind installed, more than any other country in the world. “Numbers like this should be grabbing headlines," Ed Davey said.
