19th Feb 2008

Greens question Labour's ability to deliver ambitious plans

Wales Green Party Principal Speaker Leila Kiersch welcomes Jane Davidson's ambition to develop renewables in Wales but has questioned the ability (given the poor record to date) of the Labour/Plaid government to deliver the change over to a low carbon economy that is needed to combat climate change and reduce Wales' dependency on oil.

To date the Labour party has a terrible record on developing renewable energy in Wales and across the UK compared to many parts of Europe. Currently the UK obtains only 2% of energy from renewable sources - only Malta and Luxembourg have a lower contribution. Last year 270 photovoltaic renewable systems were installed across the UK compared to 130,000 in Germany. Not a single scheme was approved last month while Germany installed 12,000 solar PV systems (1).

Leila Kiersch "The Wales Green Party welcomes changes to planning guidance which would help ease the restrictions to the installation of micro renewables for domestic purposes, however much more is need. To see real change renewable energy use in the short term should receive a subsidy in the form of a Feed-In-Tariff. These have been implemented successfully in Germany and a number of other countries. However such a scheme would currently fall under the responsibility of the Labour Party at Westminster and we call on Jane Davidson to speak to her London Labour colleagues at the Treasury to help put in place a renewable energy Feed-In-Tariff."

"Micro-generation needn't be intrusive whilst it is still capable of still delivering low carbon energy and cutting Wales' dependency on fossil and nuclear sources. The Wales Green Party has long argued for the need to move from a national grid towards decentralisation, thus empowering communities to be in charge of where their energy comes from."

"The proposal suggests an increase in waste incineration. There are many problems associated with the burning of waste. They have been linked to cancer causing dioxins and would be a step away from efforts by local authorities in Wales to increase recycling rates. We currently have some of the lowest levels in the UK."

"What is clear is that the Welsh Assembly Government believes that ultimately all Wales' electricity can be sourced from renewable energy sources and this calls into question the Plaid Cymru Leader, Iuean Wyn Jones, and Westminster Labour Party's support for the development of nuclear power in Wales and in particular on Anglesey."

"Wales Green Party will be submitting a formal response to the "route map" on renewable energy."

ENDS

Notes for editors

(1) www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/18/energy.economy

For further information (English or Welsh language) contact Leila Kiersch Wales Green Party Principal Speaker - 01974 261340/07817 83714 or Wales Green Party Press Officer Jake Griffiths on 07752754537 and cantongreens@hotmail.co.uk .