Cameron makes the case for renewables

UK Prime Minister David Cameron today claimed that renewables have the potential to be among the cheapest forms of energy in years if global efforts are made to make clean energy financially sustainable.

Addressing delegates at the Clean Energy Ministerial in London, Cameron said that wind and solar companies have to cut costs and develop more suitable sites if they are to win over public opinion.

“Solar costs have halved in two years, the price of onshore wind power has come down as well,” he said.

“As the costs come down, it's right that consumers pay less for it... I believe that more mature renewable technologies can be among our cheapest energy sources in years, not in decades.”

“Our commitment and investment in renewable energy has helped to make renewable energy possible. Now we have a different challenge. We need to make it financially sustainable,” he added.

However, Cameron stressed that governments must also take a tough line if renewable energy wants to move from its strong position today to become a truly global industry, calling for a renewed collaboration between governments and businesses alike in their bid to drive down costs to make clean energy readily affordable and available.

“There are huge challenges facing governments across the world today, and one of the most important of all is how we meet our growing energy demands in a way that protects our planet for our children and grandchildren,” said Cameron.

“With global demand forecast to increase by more than 40 percent in the next two decades, we urgently need a more diverse, cleaner mix of energy sources that will give us energy security without causing irreparable damage to the planet.”

Renewable energy accounts for just over 12 percent of energy across Europe, and over 16 percent of the global energy supply.

Cameron added that Britain has gone from virtually no capacity for renewables, “to seeing them provide almost 10 percent of our total electricity needs last year.”

“I am proud that Britain has played a leading role at the forefront of this green energy revolution,” he said, adding that he was also sticking to his original vow of leading the “greenest government ever”, despite the fact that a recent poll suggested only 2 percent of the nation agreed.

Cameron’s comments have come only a day after the International Energy Agency issued a stark warning to international leaders that $5 trillion of investment is needed in renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleaner transportation by 2020 to curb global temperature rises. Now that Cameron has stressed the importance of renewables, time will tell if he can influence both the private and public sector to increase implementation of cleaner energies.

 

Image 01: World Economic Forum | Flickr

Image 02: Spanginator | Flickr

Image 03: Climate Action Stock Photos