Investing in Renewable Energy

IELTS Writing Practice — AI-Powered Feedback

Writing Prompt

Some people believe that governments should invest heavily in renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power. Others argue that this money would be better spent on making existing energy sources cheaper and more reliable.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Show Band 8–9 model answer

Some argue that public funds should prioritise renewable energy, while others believe governments ought to focus on improving conventional fuels. Both perspectives have merits, but I firmly support large-scale investment in renewables.

Those who favour spending on existing energy sources highlight short-term economic and social benefits. In many countries, coal, oil and gas still power industry, hospitals and public transport. Making these fuels cheaper can reduce production costs, keep prices low for consumers and protect jobs in energy-intensive sectors, such as steel or manufacturing. Furthermore, upgrading current infrastructure, for instance modernising coal plants with cleaner technology or reinforcing gas pipelines, can enhance reliability and reduce blackouts, which is crucial for developing economies trying to attract foreign investment.

However, there are compelling reasons for governments to channel the bulk of investment into renewables. Firstly, fossil fuels are finite and subject to volatile global markets. Wind and solar, by contrast, rely on inexhaustible resources and can significantly increase long-term energy security. Countries like Denmark and Morocco, which have invested aggressively in wind farms and solar plants, now import less fuel and are less exposed to geopolitical shocks. Secondly, burning fossil fuels is the principal driver of climate change and local air pollution. The health and environmental costs—ranging from respiratory diseases to extreme weather damage—far outweigh the temporary savings achieved by subsidising coal or oil.

In my view, public money is best spent accelerating the transition to renewables while allocating a smaller proportion to maintaining the safety and reliability of existing systems during this shift. Strategic investment in smart grids, large-scale battery storage and research can also help address the intermittency of wind and solar, making them as dependable as traditional power stations.

In conclusion, although making current energy cheaper may offer short-term relief, sustained and substantial investment in renewable energy is essential for economic resilience, public health and environmental protection.

Why this response works

This essay would likely achieve a high band because it fully addresses all parts of the task, clearly discussing both viewpoints and giving a well-justified personal opinion. The position is consistent and developed throughout. Ideas are logically sequenced, with clear paragraphing and strong cohesion, yet minimal overuse of linking phrases. Lexical resource is varied and precise (e.g. “intermittency”, “energy security”, “volatile global markets”), with appropriate collocations. Grammatical structures are diverse, including complex sentences and concessive clauses, and are generally error-free, contributing to a natural, academic style suitable for IELTS Task 2.