Drive for renewable energy 'could lead to blackouts'

Britain could face years of blackouts and rising electricity bills because of a growing dependence on renewable energy, according to an expert.

Derek Birkett, a former Grid Control Engineer with more than 20 years experience in electricity supply, warned that the cost of the problem could equal that of the banking crisis.

He said renewable energy targets were "dangerous illusions" which will result in consumers having to pay more for their power.

Mr Birkett told the Daily Express: "We are going to pay a heavy price for the fact that there has been a catalogue of neglect by the former government which has focused on renewable energy sources.

"We need a mix of sources and this takes time. Renewables have the problem of being intermittent, particularly wind, and we need more back-up capacity.

"By having all our sources in one basket we are risking disruption."

In a new book, When Will the Lights Go Out, Mr Birkett warns that with a growing reliance on renewables and many nuclear and coal-fired power stations being taken out of service, Britain could face a future of blackouts.

He said: "The country is going to have to make a choice whether to go along with green ideas of renewable generation or go back to coal and nuclear power."