Welsh Government Carbon Plans: "More spin than substance"

12.00.00am GMT Fri 19th Mar 2010

The Welsh Government's 'Energy Policy Statement' is more 'spin than substance' according to Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on the Environment and Sustainability, Michael German AM.

Under questioning from Mr German in the Chamber, Environment and Sustainability Minister Jane Davidson AM stated that the Energy Policy Statement launched this week 'in no way says that there is a target' but 'it is clear in the sense of saying that it is about the potential.'

Mike German AM has criticised the statement as being more ambition than reality and urges the Welsh Government to outline a timetable of action to reach the 2010 target on renewable energy:

"Currently the Welsh Government is only halfway towards its 2010 target to produce 10% of our electricity from renewable sources, so there is much work to be done before the end of this year. I urge the Minister to outline a timetable of action over the next nine months to give us some confidence that this target will be reached, let alone more ambitious potential for the future.

"The Minister has placed all her hopes on projects currently within the planning system to produce the 10% of renewable energy required, but projects consented are not projects producing energy yet. These projects may not be developed anytime soon as we see consistent delays and problems in the planning process so they cannot yet count towards the 2010 target.

"The Welsh Government has identified the potential for Wales to produce twice as much renewable energy as we consume by 2025. This is achievable, but on current record I have no confidence that it will be achieved. It is all very well laying down great ambition but this energy statement is more spin than substance if in reality it is never realised."