Eight major renewable energy projects, estimated to create
around 8,500 new job opportunities for people in the UK , have been given government
approval.
The contracts, which include off-shore wind farms and
conversions of coal-powered plants to run on biomass, are the first projects to
be awarded funding under the government’s energy market reforms, with more
thought to be in progress.
Energy Secretary Ed Davey said the projects could power up
to three million homes in the UK .
Mr Davey is confident that all eight projects will go ahead without a hitch;
however, there are more renewable
energy projects in the pipeline that the government could not fund, meaning
that if a company was to drop out for whatever reason, another similar project
could take its place.
These projects are the first wave of reforms planned by the
government and are vital to ensuring the UK maintains secure, clean energy
after the problems the Ukraine crisis has caused the European energy market.
The price of gas is quickly becoming a major Russian weapon
against its neighbour and by extension, its European supporters. Nearly a third
of European natural gas comes from Russia and almost half of that gas
runs through Ukrainian pipelines. If past events were to repeat themselves, the
countries hardest hit by the decline in energy supplies could see schools and
factories forced to shut down.
The UK ,
unlike much of Europe , is fortunate enough not
to rely on Russian gas. Nevertheless, the possibility of a decline in imported
fossil fuels should inspire Britain
to become more self-sufficient through renewable energy. Britain
should aspire to be clean and sustainable.
The eight approved projects will add nearly 5% to the UK
clean energy supply, according to Mr Davey. He also expects them to attract
around £12bn in private investment.
The first eight approved projects are designed to attract
investment in low carbon energy solutions in a more affordable way than before.
Although, Mr Davey predicts that these changes would add 2% to annual household
energy bills by 2020 when it is hoped that at least 30% of UK electricity will
come from renewable sources.
As the approval of these projects reinforces the growth of
sustainable energy in the UK ,
you don’t have to wait for the government to make changes on your behalf. You
can go green by investing in
solar panels with First4Solar.
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