The Impact of Renewable Generation on Electricity Trading and the Environment in the UK

摘要

Following the recent Kyoto Agreement to reduce global carbon dioxide (CO_2) emissions by some 20 percent by the year 2010 and the UK Government's intention of establishing at least 10 percent of the electricity generating capacity from renewables by that same date, attention and assistance has been focussed on the renewable energy market. However, underlying these laudable targets is a very dynamic, competitive, privatised electricity supply industry which has seen the price of electricity for domestic consumers fall, in real terms, by more than 20 percent in England and Wales (Annual Report, OFFER, 1998) and is presently contending with a massive trading and settlements upheaval to permit all its consumers the right to choose their supply company. How does the renewable energy sector integrate and compete in this marketplace? Can a renewable power generation base contribute in a meaningful way to meeting the Kyoto targets? And what are the future economic threats and opportunities offered by the utilisation of renewable power?