A report highlighted the possibilities for local energy production: mini wind turbines, solar panels, and other small-scale technologies could provide a substantial portion of energy needs by 2050.
Source: Potential for Microgeneration: Study and Analysis, Energy Saving Trust (0845 727 7200) and others
Links: Report | EST press release | DTI press release
Date: 2005-Dec
A report examined how major improvements in energy efficiency could be delivered cost effectively within the domestic, business, and public sectors; and how to embed energy efficiency improvement into decision-making across the economy.
Source: Energy Efficiency Innovation Review: Summary report, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Dec
The Prime Minister announced a comprehensive review of energy policy, including the option of building a new generation of nuclear power stations.
Source: Speech by Tony Blair MP (Prime Minister), 29 November 2005
Links: Text of speech | DTI press release | Friends of the Earth press release | Green Alliance press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Nov
A think-tank report called for a radical rethink of energy policy. It said that a new energy agency should be created, charged with delivering the targets for climate change and security of supply.
Source: Dieter Helm, A New British Energy Policy, Social Market Foundation (020 7222 7060)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Nov
The government's chief scientific adviser reportedly said that there were economic as well as environmental reasons for building a new generation of nuclear reactors.
Source: The Guardian, 21 October 2005
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2005-Oct
The government announced amendments to building regulations on energy efficiency, and the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, from April 2006 - the new measures would save 1 million tonnes of carbon per year by 2010.
Source: Press release 13 September 2005, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 3000)
Links: ODPM press release
Date: 2005-Sep
A report by a committee of MPs said that even if support for renewable energy achieved its planned contribution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the government would need to encourage investment in other zero or low carbon generating capacity, or energy efficiency measures, if it were to meet its overall emissions target.
Source: Department of Trade and Industry: Renewable Energy, Sixth Report (Session 2005-06), HC 413, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Sep
The Prime Minister said that nuclear power had to be considered as one option for tackling climate change.
Source: Speech by Tony Blair MP (Prime Minister), 27 September 2005
Links: Text of speech | Friends of the Earth press release
Date: 2005-Sep
A think-tank report said that an increased share of renewable energies would diversify energy sources, increase energy autonomy, and improve the security of the energy supply.
Source: Dan Plesch, Greg Austin and Fiona Grant, Britain s Energy Future: Securing the home front , Foreign Policy Centre (020 7388 6662)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Sep
A report examined the social and environmental impact of energy policies.
Source, Energy: Its Impact on the Environment and Society, Department of Trade and Industry (0870 150 2500)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
A report compared the costs of nuclear power and microgeneration, and argued for radically increased investment in small-scale solutions.
Source: Small or Atomic? Comparing the finances of nuclear and microgenerated electricity, Green Alliance (020 7233 7433)
Links: Green Alliance press release
Date: 2005-Jun
A report outlined the need to introduce a new set of policies and measures to strengthen the existing energy efficiency package, if the government's short-term and long-term term targets for energy efficiency were to be met.
Source: New Policies for Energy Efficiency, Green Alliance (020 7233 7433) and UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy
Links: Summary (pdf) | Green Alliance press release
Date: 2005-Jun
A think-tank report said that the cost of new nuclear power had been underestimated by almost a factor of three, and the potential of small scale renewables critically overlooked.
Source: Andrew Simms, Petra Kjell and David Woodward, Mirage and Oasis: Energy choices in an age of global warming, New Economics Foundation (020 7820 6300)
Links: Report (pdf) | NEF press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jun
A report (by an official advisory body) called for a new strategic approach in response to changing energy sources and the challenge of climate change. Investment in low-carbon, large-scale sources of electricity - from tidal to nuclear to clean coal - were key to future energy policy. Public engagement had a key role to play.
Source: An Electricity Supply Strategy for the UK, Council for Science and Technology (020 7215 6518)
Links: Report (pdf) | DTI press release
Date: 2005-May
A report published by an official advisory body said that wind power had to be made to work, in order to tackle the problems of climate change and energy security.
Source: Wind Power in the UK, Sustainable Development Commission (020 7944 4964)
Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2005-May
A report outlined the need to introduce a new set of policies and measures to improve energy efficiency, if the government's targets for energy efficiency were to be met.
Source: Russell Marsh, New Policies for Energy Efficiency, Green Alliance (020 7233 7433)
Links: Summary (pdf) | Green Alliance press release
Date: 2005-Mar
An audit report said that the government was on course to achieve a significant increase in the level of electricity generated from renewable sources, as part of its response to global warming: but a number of challenges remained to achieving its 10 per cent target for renewable energy by 2010. Pursuit of the target would result in costs for the consumer and taxpayer exceeding 1 billion a year by the end of the decade, which would increase the price of electricity by around 5 per cent.
Source: Renewable Energy, HC 210 (Session 2004-05), National Audit Office (020 7798 7000)
Links: Report (pdf) | NAO press release
Date: 2005-Feb
The Department of Trade and Industry published a business plan for 2005-2008, including its strategy for secure, sustainable, and affordable energy supplies.
Source: Business Plan 2005-08, Department of Trade and Industry (0870 150 2500)
Links: Plan (pdf)
Date: 2005-Feb