Road to renewables is nuclear-free

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 5th May 2007

Lib Dem Energy Spokesperson David Howarth has called for carbon capture technology to fill the energy gap.

Mr Howarth was speaking at a conference on energy at the Birmingham NEC.

Commenting, he said:

"It is perfectly possible to reach a completely renewable energy system but it will take time.

"We need to decide how to meet our energy needs in the meantime: new nuclear power stations or carbon capture and storage?

"Carbon capture produces no radioactive waste and poses no risk of nuclear proliferation. Nor are its sites likely to become targets for terrorist activity.

"Gas and coal with carbon capture provide the flexibility that we need from our energy supply. Nuclear power stations cannot be easily switched on and off yet Britain's energy demands fluctuate rapidly throughout the day and the year. We need a much more flexible energy system than nuclear can provide."