I am often asked if we have the capability of producing the majority of our energy from renewable sources. I believe that the answer is yes, we can, without the need to cover vast areas of our magnificent countryside with wind turbines. How? The first priority has to be energy efficiency to cut demand in the first instance.

I was intrigued to read a report recently that suggested that even since 2002 the average new home built is about 50% more energy efficient – considerable improvements in just a few years. The majority of us live in older properties though which leak energy like a sieve. One of my first priorities after moving into my home was to improve my loft insulation and install cavity wall insulation – with a 70% grant from the local authority I reckon I recouped by initial £175.00 capital outlay in 3 years. Surely as well as encouraging us to adopt renewable technologies the government and our local authorities should be encouraging us to save energy in the first instance. This is far more cost effective and would be a far more financially incentive for most – What about a discount in Council tax for these simple measures as an additional incentive?

As for installing renewable energy technologies – well as someone pointed out in the local press recently, unless your on a hill, wind turbines on individual properties within Worcestershire are not particularly cost effective and solar PV’s, without more government grant support even less so. A few years ago I investigated installing a solar PV array on my house – It would of cost me £6,000 to provide me with enough electricity for 1/3 of my needs with a pay back period of 25 years – In the end I decided to go for a simpler, cheaper and more efficient solar hot water system – This provides all the hot water I need for 8 months a year and works beautifully – Definitely the first option for anyone considering home renewables. One of the easiest ways to ensure your home uses renewables that also creates demand is to sign up with a green energy provider such as Good Energy – Although slightly more expensive you guarantee renewable supply.

One of the UK’s biggest potential sources of renewables has to be Off shore wind – less controversial than mainland wind farms and vast areas of offshore coastline on which to construct. The technologies exist -we just need the political will to make this happen – Many now believe that we are at a point of Peak Oil and alternative sources have to be found. If governments were to invest the same amount of resources into renewables/energy efficiency incentives as they do nuclear power we would start moving some way down the path of energy security.