New report shows that the UK may be able to meet its carbon reduction standards after allDecember 4, 2011
A new report from RenewableUK, the largest alternative energy trade association in the UK, highlights the benefits of wind and other sustainable fuels while detailing the faults of nuclear energy and oil.
The report notes that Britain may be able to meet its staunch carbon reduction standards by the 2020 deadline, if the nation focuses on alternative energy. Wind, in particular, is targeted as the most promising fuel. The report also notes that the standards can be met without having to rely on any fossil-fuels and without the help of nuclear energy.
According to the report, wind accounts for approximately 1% of household bills in the UK. Opponents of wind energy suggest that wind farms have contributed to rising house prices. The report, however, suggests that the soaring price of oil is at fault. With gas becoming more expensive, it becomes more difficult to meet the nation’s energy needs using conventional fuels.
Alternative energy – wind or otherwise – is estimated to save a great deal of money for UK homeowners, as the cost for energy will be significantly lower when compared to oil.
The report fails to note the total cost of new energy systems that must be built in the nation before the transition away from oil can be realized. The UK currently has a meager alternative energy infrastructure. The nation has been laboring to bolster the infrastructure, but the total cost of an entirely new, national energy system is estimated to be in the billions.
Ripoti mpya ya RenewableUK, shirika kubwa la biashara ya nishati mbadala nchini Uingereza, inaonyesha faida za upepo na mafuta mengine endelevu wakati ikionyesha makosa ya nishati ya nyuklia na mafuta. "Imeelezwa kuwa Uingereza inaweza kufikia viwango vyake vya kupunguza kaboni kwa tarehe ya mwisho ya 2020 ikiwa taifa hilo litazingatia nishati mbadala. """ Upepo, hasa, unalengwa kuwa mafuta yenye matumaini zaidi. Ripoti hiyo pia inasema kwamba viwango hivyo vinaweza kutimizwa bila kutegemea mafuta yoyote ya visukuku na bila msaada wa nishati ya nyuklia. Kulingana na ripoti hiyo, upepo unashughulikia karibu 1% ya bili za kaya nchini Uingereza. Wapinzani wa nishati ya upepo husema kwamba mashamba ya upepo yamechangia kuongezeka kwa bei ya nyumba. Hata hivyo, ripoti hiyo inaonyesha kwamba sababu ni ongezeko kubwa la bei ya mafuta. Gesi inapoongezeka bei, inakuwa vigumu zaidi kukidhi mahitaji ya nishati ya taifa kwa kutumia mafuta ya kawaida. Nishati mbadala - upepo au vinginevyo - inakadiriwa kuokoa pesa nyingi kwa wamiliki wa nyumba za Uingereza, kwani gharama ya nishati itakuwa chini sana ikilinganishwa na mafuta. Ripoti hiyo imeshindwa kutaja gharama ya jumla ya mifumo mpya ya nishati ambayo lazima ijengwe nchini kabla ya mpito mbali na mafuta kuweza kufanyika. Uingereza kwa sasa ina miundombinu ndogo ya nishati mbadala. Serikali ya Marekani imefanya kazi kwa bidii ili kuimarisha miundombinu ya umeme, lakini inakadiriwa kwamba gharama ya ujenzi wa mfumo mpya wa umeme wa kitaifa inakadiriwa kuwa bilioni kadhaa.