Targets and progress

Preparing the ground

We support decision makers, creating the right conditions for investment

The south west has renewable energy targets for 2010 and 2020. These targets are based upon the REvision 2020 and REvision 2010 resource assessment projects. There are targets for both heat and electricity and they were included in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy.

2010 renewable energy targets

The 2010 electricity targets were agreed at county level. Progress in reaching the targets has been slow. To view these targets, and progress towards them please click here.

The south west was the first region to set renewable heat targets. Regen SW's 2010 annual survey of renewable projects recorded 68 MW of installed capacity in the south west, with 13.5 MW added in 2009/10 and an increasing rate of growth.

**2010 targets**
Onshore renewable electricity	509 to 611 MWe
Offshore renewable electricity	56 MWe
Renewable heat	100 MWt

The Road to 2020

In 2009, under the EU Renewable Energy Directive, the UK signed up to a legally binding EU target of producing 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. Over summer 2008, Regen SW undertook an in-depth analysis of what the government’s renewable energy target will mean for the south west.

The Road to 2020 report breaks down the contributions from the different types of technology, as well as the energy efficiency measures that will be needed, for the south west to fulfil its potential in supporting the UK to meet its targets.

Read more about the Road to 2020

Broadly, current demand is around 135 TWh/year in the south west. To meet the 15% target by 2020, total demand must be reduced by 26TWh and some 19TWh of renewable energy is required. This is a massive reduction in demand and increase in renewable generation that will require tens of billions of pounds of investment.

You can download both the report, and accompanying technical appendix, though the download links at the bottom of this page.