The future of UK energy generation

The recent cold snap reminds us all of the importance of a warm home. Last week in Parliament I joined debates regarding the future of energy generation in the UK. For some time, I have been very concerned about our future energy security and dismayed that the UK has not had an adequate energy policy. We need a more sustainable energy mix, one that can meet our future needs and match our CO 2 emissions reduction ambitions while delivering affordable energy to industry and households.

We are currently overly reliant on imported fossil fuels from Russia and nuclear electricity from France, exposing us to the volatility of global energy markets. As resources become ever-scarcer and demand grows in emerging economies, we cannot risk deepening our dependence. We also face major challenges in power generation as old power stations close down.

We need £200 billion to replace our ageing infrastructure. We need a planning and regulation framework to enable the market to deliver the investment required. The plans to do this are taking shape and each week sees another piece in the energy policy jigsaw revealed and debated in Parliament. This week should see the publication of the Localism Bill that aims to find ways of balancing the needs of the country to build new infrastructure to support new energy generation with the needs of the local community that will be hosting them. At the moment, as we can see from the planning appeal process for the Truthan Wind Farm, I don’t believe this balance is not being fairly struck.

For people in Cornwall, who this week are living on very low incomes and worrying about how they are going to keep warm, help is needed now. While the government has kept the winter fuel allowance, cold weather payments as well as insisting energy providers make the lowest tariffs available for people in hardship, many people are still living in old, poorly insulated and cold homes and are not aware of the help that is available. Many of these ‘fuel poor’ households are the homes of elderly people.

Age Concern Cornwall offers advice on how to access the cheapest fuel deals, grants for insulation and has a Benevolent Fund for people who need help to pay their fuel bills. They do home visits or can be reached on 01872 266388. They have recently helped the victims of flooded homes. Some constituents have said to me:  “I don’t need my winter allowance as I can afford to keep warm and I would rather the money was targeted at those who need it”. If you feel this way, please make a donation to Age Concern Cornwall and send it to: Age Concern Cornwall, Boscawen House, Chapel Hill, Truro, TR1 3BN. They will be able to ensure it is given to an elderly person who really needs to feel some warmth this winter.

Article by Sarah Newton MP, published in West Briton 9th December 2010