Commenting ahead of the launch today of the Institution of Civil Engineers annual "State of the Nation 2005" report, the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to take a more joined-up approach to tackling energy problems - something which, as in 2004, is likely to be a major concern.
Commenting, Norman Lamb said, "Our energy storage facilities are currently inadequate compared to our European colleagues. This means that our businesses are vulnerable to the risk of limited supply in the event of a severe winter, whilst also being subject to the risk of serious price distortion compared to the less liberalised energy market of EU colleagues."
"It is essential that the Government acts now to address these imbalances and takes an integrated approach to sourcing energy supplies," he added.
To illustrate the need for a greater joined up approach, Mr Lamb was joined by his colleague Norman Baker MP, the Lib Dem Shadow Environment Secretary, who said, "An expansion in expensive and environmentally damaging nuclear power plants is not the answer to Britain's energy problems. If renewables received the same level of funding as nuclear, Britain would not just meet but exceed its Kyoto commitments."
"The reduction in energy demand through conservation, combined with use of alternative technologies such as combined heat and power, biomass, wind and tidal energy would significantly reduce Britain's carbon emissions as well as enhancing the continuity of supply. Nuclear power is not and will never be the answer," Mr Baker continued.
