Securing Clean, Affordable Energy for the Long Term

The RSC has responded to the DTI consultation "Our Energy Challenge Securing Clean, Affordable Energy for the Long Term".  The key points of the RSC response are summarised below: 

1.   UK energy policy must promote a diverse energy mix and avoid over reliance upon a single energy source. 

2.   A clear and co-ordinated energy policy is vital. The policy should:

a.   Be long-term;

b.   Not unfairly bias specific technologies but instead provide a level economic playing field for all clean energy technologies; and 

c.   Perhaps best be made by an independent, cross-party energy commission rather than the Government of the day. 

3.   Technology will not provide a short-term solution to meet Government carbon emission reduction targets reducing energy demand is the only way to achieve these targets.  The critical sectors to concentrate upon are domestic living and transportation. 

4.   With sufficient support, the chemicals sciences will be critical in developing clean energy technologies in the medium and the long-term. Technologies will include solar power, fuel cells, hydrogen as a fuel, safe nuclear waste management, carbon capture and storage, energy storage and energy efficient lighting. These technologies will reduce our reliance upon imported energy sources and reduce  UK carbon emissions. 

5.   The RSC believes a  UK geological repository for nuclear waste is vital and once the recommendations of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) are made the Government must act quickly to ensure the run down in skills is addressed and that facilities and finances are put in place. This must happen before any firm decision to build new nuclear power stations is taken.