Access to energy sources is vital to maintaining our way of life. For many years the UK was a net exporter of coal, oil and gas. However, this has now changed; we have been a net importer of coal since 1984 and according to the 2008 BP statistical review, at current rates of consumption we have 9 years of coal left. We became a net importer of oil in 2005 and North Sea production is now in decline by 8%-10% per year. UK gas production peaked in 2000, we became a net importer in 2004 and last year imported over 20% of our Gas requirements. These 3 fuels account for over 90% of the UK energy use, with the remainder being mainly nuclear with a tiny percentage of renewables.

The point is by continuing to rely on fossil fuels; we now choose to rely on other countries to satisfy our thirst for energy.

Of the world’s remaining oil reserves, it is estimated 66% are in the Middle East, 7% in Africa and 6% in Russia. Russia currently supplies around half the gas consumed in the EU. Every time Russia falls out with the Ukraine and decides to turn off gas supplies, or there is political upheaval in the Middle East; our energy prices go up and our supplies are threatened.

Renewables offer the opportunity for people to become more energy independent, the sun shining on solar panels and wind blowing over wind turbines is not affected by world politics, is not going to run out and cannot be taxed.