Press Releases 2008

26 June 2008

Royal Show exhibits are on the Government’s
alternative energy case

The Government Report on its alternative energy consultation, recommending that the UK reaches 15% renewable energy provision by 2020, has been welcomed by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, organisers of The Royal Show (Stoneleigh Park, July 3rd-6th).

Commenting on the report, RASE Chairman, Hugh Oliver-Bellasis, said that he was delighted that the report was released in the week before the Royal Show when a major focus will be on how farmers and landowners can make a significant contribution to alternative energy provision.

“The Royal Show is on the case as far as renewables are concerned. We have set aside a large area of the showground to create an Alternative Energy and Sustainability Park which will provide key information about how farms can contribute to the Government’s target”.

“Our exhibitors will feature information on bio-mass production, including the role of renewables at the Drax Power Station and how farmers can meet their demands, the use of agricultural crops in alternative energy, the use of waste material and things that farmers can do to save energy. There will be a business information exchange where visitors can ask questions of the experts to establish viable production systems. It is a very timely exhibition,” said Mr Oliver-Bellasis.

Launching the Government report, UK Renewable Energy Strategy, The Rt. Hon John Hutton MP Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, said that renewable energy is key to the UK’s low-carbon energy future.

“We need to radically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as diversify our energy sources. As part of this move to a low-carbon economy, we need a step change in renewable energy use in heat, electricity and transport over the next 12 years. Last spring we agreed with other Member States to an EU-wide target of 20% renewable energy by 2020. The UK’s proposed share would be to achieve 15% of the UK’s energy from renewable”.

“That is almost a ten-fold increase in renewable energy consumption from where we are now. It will involve all of us in a revolution in how we use and generate energy. The opportunities are significant in the UK and beyond. The market for renewable energy technologies and investments will grow substantially. Up to 160,000 jobs could be created to deliver the necessary investment in the UK alone. We are already putting in place mechanisms to deliver more renewable”.

“We estimate that the investment necessary to meet our target will be of the order of £100 billion over the next 12 years. It is the private sector which will undertake this. Investors need a clear understanding now of our ambitions for renewables alongside other low-carbon energy generation for 2020.”

Mr Oliver-Bellasis said that the Royal Show was up with the game.

“The Minister wants investors and practitioners to have a clear understanding of renewables. The Royal Show will provide just that,” he said.

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For further information on the Royal Show call:

Julie Bublaitis Royal Show Press Office Tel: 02476 858217

For information on the Government’s Alternative Energy Report: