The Green Party’s two leading candidates for the European Elections were in Bournemouth at the weekend to support the local South East Dorset party’s campaign for the off shore Navitus Bay Wind Park. They attended the public meeting hosted by Bournemouth Borough Council at the BIC to support local party member Soo Chapman, who spoke in favour of the scheme. As part of the European campaign the party recently launched a report South West: Energy Region which claims that UK politicians at all levels are failing to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the transition to a renewable energy future.
The report argues that mixed messages from national government are undermining the economic opportunities offered by this sector which has massive potential for the South West economy. The report says that the region is already a national leader in renewable electricity generation but could be expanding more rapidly. Fracking and nuclear power are dismissed in the report as dangerous distractions from the need to invest rapidly in renewable generation.
Dr Molly Scott Cato, lead Green Party European candidate in the South West, said:
“The damaging winter storms have proved just how vulnerable the South West is to the consequences of a changing climate and a transition to renewable energy is exactly what is needed to tackle climate change. Thankfully, the dynamism and foresighted approach of many people and businesses in the South West means that we are already responding in a positive way and are leading the country in renewable energy generation. The Navitus Bay proposal offers an exciting opportunity to further develop the wind-energy potential of the region.”
The report draws inspiration from the impressive speed of the energy transition in Germany, where the government has completely abandoned nuclear and set itself the ambitious goal of doubling the renewable electricity generation to 35% by 2020 and achieving 80% renewable electricity generation by 2050. The rapid transition in Germany is being achieved as a result of public and community ownership of renewables, including a fivefold increase in the number of renewable energy co-operatives between 2007 (101) and 2011 (586).
Mark Chivers, who is also one of the party’s European candidates and lives in Poole, said:
“We need politicians at all levels to show leadership and create a stable and level playing field for investment, research and development in renewable technologies. We need clear indications that the country will undergo a rapid and sustained transition to renewable energy generation, supported by clear and consistent fiscal incentives. The investment of public money in renewables can support the creation of thousands of green jobs as well as enabling clean electricity and securing our future against the threat of climate change.”
Helen Woodall
