Huhne promises UK will be ‘fastest improving’ renewable nation by 2015

Energy and climate change secretary, Chris Huhne, made the pledge as he kicked off proceedings at this year’s Carbon Show in central London.

The move will hopefully see the UK lift out of Europe’s bottom three where only Malta and Luxembourg languish beneath us in 25th of 27 places.

Mr Huhne also reiterated his pledge to reform the CRC and spoke of making changes before the second phase of the scheme gets underway in 2013.

And, pledges to improve the UK’s energy infrastructure to help support a renewable power revolution.

Mr Huhne said: “Replacement of our outdated energy infrastructure and the creation of a new low carbon set of power plants will present a new set of opportunities for British business.

“Ofgem estimates its £200 billion of capital needed over the next years alone in an enormous investment cycle well beyond the normal investment.

“And investors and manufacturers alike can benefit from the shift to low carbon power generation, again we will do our bit to help.

“Wind, wave and waste power will help us get off the oil hook and on to clean green growth, so that by the end of this parliament we will be the fastest improving nation when it comes to renewable energy.”

Talking about the CRC scheme Mr Huhne added: “We will keep a close eye on the CRC scheme, we’ll make sure it’s effective, simple, streamlined … if it can be improved we will make changes before the next stage in 2013.”

Luke Walsh