U.K. committed to renewable energy targets

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LONDON, June 15 (UPI) -- Renewable energy targets in the United Kingdom are "unshakeable" though costs remain a key concern, a British minister said.

British Energy Secretary Edward Davey, speaking at an offshore wind energy conference in London, said renewables were driving Britain's energy ambitions.

Britain gets close to 10 percent of its electricity met from wind, said Davey. The government said at least 15 percent of its energy needs would come from renewable energy resources like wind by 2020.

"Our renewables target is not up for grabs. It is not a fair-weather promise; an airy ambition, to be discarded or downgraded when the going gets tough," he said. "It is immovable and our commitment to it is unshakeable."

He added, however, that he was worried about the cost for consumers. In about four years, 8 percent of consumer electric bills would be used to finance renewable energy obligations.

"We are looking, hard, at the current and projected costs of generating electricity, rates of deployment and opportunities for technology leaps," he said. "I am absolutely determined that the U.K. will retain its reputation as one of the best places in the world to invest in renewables."

Davey added Britain has more installed wind capacity than the rest of the world combined.