25 November 2008
The UK is at risk of facing a major power shortage as investment in new energy generation capacity is unlikely to keep pace with demand.
This is the conclusion of a report by CapGemini, which warns that the amount of energy available in the UK to meet demand is at its lowest in a decade.
According to the consultancy group, the recession is likely to exacerbate the problem by potentially halting new developments.
It points out that by 2015, one-quarter of the country's energy generation capacity looks set to be obsolete, while new renewable projects are unlikely to fill the gap.
"We still have time to sort this out but over the next few years we may well be facing a shortage of energy," a CapGemini spokesman told the Telegraph.
Meanwhile, British Gas owner Centrica has said it is reviewing its plans to invest £4 billion in wind energy in response to the economic downturn.