However, we are given the impression that when political parties are pitching for our approval at voting time, that they have a certain agenda based around their enthusiasm or otherwise for nuclear or wind or gas etc. But the interesting thing is that the amount of energy generated by fossil fuels remains much the same as it was in 1990. The same is true of nuclear generation and hydroelectricity.
Only the renewables sector has grown, but still only represents about 15% of the UK’s total generation. So it does make you wonder if manifesto promises make all that much difference.
The latest proclamation from Energy Secretary Amber Rudd is that coal-fired stations will be phased out completely by 2025, to be replaced largely by the much cleaner gas generation, irrespective of the dependence this may then place on imports or even shale gas.
Renewables have seemingly been put on the back burner until they can demonstrate that they can compete in an open market. There are plenty of valid arguments for and against all strategies. However, it seems little changes when long term goals are no more than ‘cheap talk’ if there is little action in the here and now. Surely energy policy, which is so fundamental for the industrial sector, deserves more joined up thinking. A long term strategy set by a cross-party bodies. Energy strategy is, after all, just about finding pragmatic solutions, there is no political idealism.
