THE COALITION Government is determined to develop more renewable energy.

There are two key reasons for this - firstly, increased renewable energy will reduce our dependency on burning fossil fuel and, consequently, reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Second, renewable energy helps to reduce our dependency on imported energy and fuel.

A further advantage of renewable energy is the need for innovation and technology to develop it.

In our area, there is plenty of evidence to demonstrate its positive impact on the economy with many firms working successfully with wind turbines, hydro-electric, solar power, and combined heat and power (CHP).

The recent decision to reduce the Feed In Tariff for solar installations is, ironically, proof of the technology’s capacity to innovate and develop.

Renewable energy is not, of course, the only solution to our energy demands.

Saving energy by home insulation and increasing the efficiency of transmissions are obvious things to do.

To these ends, the government will soon be launching the Green Deal to further encourage investment in insulation and more local energy production will be installed.

Nuclear power also has an important role to play.

Berkeley power station has now been decommissioned and, apart from some outstanding work to be done, the remaining structures will be monitored on a ‘care and maintenance’ basis.

Other sites for nuclear power are being developed but the construction of stations is a long process so nuclear output as a proportion of consumption will not rise immediately.

Gas is going to be a key source of energy.

Here again, our area contains many firms in the gas and oil sector where innovation and technology result in local employment, exports and growth.

We have firms involved in exploration, plant construction, pipelines and distribution.

Energy policy is going to be increasingly important and our local economy is well placed to benefit from the development of the technology we need.

If you would like to discuss the issues raised above, please contact me on 01453 751572 or visit my website www.neilcarmichael.co.uk