Britain renewable energy

Launching its renewable energy strategy, the Irish government today announced that it will meet its goal of generating 40% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020.  The government also confirmed that it is engaged in trade talks with Britain to export renewable energy.

Recent research conducted by the RenewableUK and the U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change revealed the British onshore wind energy industry was worth £568 million in 2011.

A £500,000 interest free loan incentive has been launched by the Scottish government to encourage households to install energy saving heat and electricity technologies in their homes.

As the United Kingdom closes its Energy Market Reform (EMR) consultation with the Associate of Electricity Producers (AEP), questions over carbon emissions and efficiency wait to be answered. The cost of energy, however, is set to rise regardless of where it comes from. 

Feed-in tariffs (FITs) are one way governments are encouraging investment in renewable energy generation. The United Kingdom's FIT program implemented in April 2010 has come under fire.

Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney has adamantly called for the United Kingdom to release the £185 million it promised to invest in Scotland's renewable energy industry.

In a second round of funding through its Deep Geothermal Challenge Fund the United Kingdom government has awarded a total of £$1.1 million to three geothermal projects.

Here are the Top 10 Renewable Energy News Stories You May Have Missed this Week:

High-priced coal is driving the United Kingdom to double its electricity generation from biomass in the next two years.

With regard to renewable energy targets the Committee of Public Accounts has a clear message for the United Kingdom's coalition government: You have dropped the ball.