UK set for 15% renewables target
January 18, 2008
The European Union is expected to tell the UK that 15% of energy needs must be met from renewable sources by 2020.
The figure, currently about 2%, will include all energy used for heating and cooling buildings.
Experts say the target is challenging because heating and cooling are hard to achieve on a mass scale with renewable fuels, says BBC analyst Roger Harrabin.
The EU, which is trying to create a low-carbon economy in Europe, will announce its decision next week.
Tough but achievable
The target is expected to be met mainly through electricity generation.
Sources suggest the UK will need to get between 30% and 40% of its electricity from wind, wave and solar sources by 2020, which is up from 5%.
Print this page