Energy Information for a Sustainable Energy System – IFEG 24 May 2007 Catherine Mitchell Warwick Business School

2 Energy Information for a Sustainable Energy System Vocal Government Policy Information required to enable evidenced basis energy policy To fill gaps For transparency Eg Renewable Energy Eg The Cost of Nuclear Power As basis for checking policies are properly implemented Eg Carbon Targets

3 Renewable Energy UK Govt policy Currently 2% of energy; new EU targets wants 20% of total energy and 10% of transport fuels by 2020 ie at least 35% of electricity System problem Technology R&D Institutions Economic Regulation Transmission access debate Planning Human Behaviour Economics

4 The Cost of Nuclear Power Differences in Reports Need to understand basis of Government support Eg Government can say will not subsidise BUT does this mean setting a minimum carbon price; accepting insurance; setting a cap on waste management costs to industry

5 Carbon Targets Hugely complex area Needs to be simpler to work out situation Climate Change Bill enshrines 60% reduction of CO2 from 1990 levels by 2050 and by 2020 legally binding At moment on track to meet the EU 12.5% reduction on 1990 levels by 2012 but predicted to rise Cuts so far due to change from coal to gas rather than any measures because of rising demand and transport