Long-term energy strategy must make waste work for us all A sustainable, long-term energy security strategy is still needed that will ensure we can, finally, wean the country off a fossil fuel-centric system of planning to one where fossil fuels are simply part of a mix of energy sources. It is time for so-called alternative and low carbon fuel sources - from turning waste into energy, to nuclear and where possible hydroelectric, wind and solar - to be treated as part of the mainstream mix so that, when fossil fuels do finally run dry again, we do not lurch towards another crisis. Sweden then set up a system of centralised strategic planning that ran across the political divide, to ensure a coherent national investment plan for energy security while providing power on a structured localised basis. This comes via a mix of nuclear, hydroelectric and energy from waste facilities - incineration of waste that cannot be recycled to produce electricity in a low carbon, low emission way, which would otherwise be dumped in landfill. It has allowed Sweden to create a nationwide energy grid with local heating systems for homes, schools and offices, all powered by what in Britain we would call renewables, low carbon or alternatives, but over there are increasingly seen simply as fuel. Sweden today has such a well developed network of local power facilities demanding energy from renewable sources that it imports pre-treated waste made in Britain. That includes waste treated by SITA UK, which cannot be turned into energy in the UK simply because not enough energy-from-waste plants have yet been built to meet demand. We believe that each year 29m tonnes of UK refuse goes to waste which contains an active value - potential energy or resources that can be extracted and go back into the economy. Industry, SITA UK included, is prepared to invest in the £20bn to £25bn of infrastructure investment needed to turn that waste into opportunity and create around 80,000 jobs. Meanwhile, in parts of Britain the Swedish lesson in city heating schemes is just beginning to take shape. Southampton, Birmingham and recently Leicester have each launched district energy schemes providing forms of localised heating systems. All are managed by Cofely, part of GDF Suez, the company whose heat and power unit powered the Olympic Park and Stratford City. But this is only the start. To ensure we can move from crisis management to strategic planning, we need to move beyond a fossil-fuel centric vision. For that to occur energy and infrastructure planning needs to move beyond government and into the hands of a cross party body which may include representatives from industry. We need a strategy that is created by a body that works for the energy security of our grandchildren, not the lifetime of one or two parliaments. Until then we will be stuck once again in crisis management mode, pushed into a dash for gas as we wait for nuclear to come through. The country needs to think long term, only then can the economy re-energise so we can make waste work for us all and revitalise our renewables. David Palmer-Jones is the chief executive of SITA UK