BIG PUSH BY SOUTH EAST ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

BY 2026, AT LEAST 16% OF THE SOUTH EAST'S ELECTRICITY SHOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, especially biomass, solar and wind energy. This is the key message of a new regional strategy to be considered by the South East England Regional Assembly at its plenary meeting in Woking on 5 March 2003.

Following consultation the new Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy - entitled 'Harnessing the Elements' - sets increased renewable energy targets for the South East to help the UK reach the targets outlined in last week's Government White Paper, 'Our energy future- creating a low carbon economy'. This framework includes a set of minimum targets for the region. By 2010, at least 5.5% of our electricity should be generated from renewable energy sources and this should increase to at least 16% by 2026. The Strategy also sets out challenging sub-regional targets and identifies the contribution each of the following areas can make to increasing the generating capacity for renewable energy:

• Thames Valley and Surrey;
• East and West Sussex;
• Hampshire and the Isle of Wight;
• Kent.

Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Regional Planning Committee said: "The current level of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the South East is negligible. So the targets we are setting for ourselves are both challenging and ambitious. However, it is clear from the recent White Paper that the Government is committed to energy efficiency and renewable energy. Our Strategy is therefore very timely and chimes perfectly with the Government's new emphasis."

Once the draft regional strategy has been approved by the Assembly on Wednesday, it will be sent to the Secretary of State for a further process of consultation and public enquiry before incorporation in planning guidance for the region.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007