REC: More action needed to harness renewable power

More action is required to meet the energy targets set out by the government, according to the Renewable Energy Centre (REC).

Following the successful supply of electricity to the national grid from the OpenHydro tidal turbine this week, the REC voiced its support for the initiative and commented on how more must be done in order to meet European Union renewables targets.

Richard Simmons, managing director at the REC, explained that at the current rate of renewable energy expansion the UK would fail to meet even ten per cent of its 2020 target.

"This is outrageous considering how much energy can easily be sourced from wind, wave and tidal power," he said.

"Decisions need to be made now, and improvements to our infrastructure in terms of how we harness renewable energy and serve it effectively into the grid should already be in progress," he added.

Irish firm OpenHydro is the first such organisation to connect tidal power electricity to the national grid.