RenewableUK responds to Government energy policy speech
RenewableUK is responding to today’s speech by the Energy Secretary Amber Rudd, setting out the Government’s future direction for energy policy.
RenewableUK is responding to today’s speech by the Energy Secretary Amber Rudd, setting out the Government’s future direction for energy policy.
RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Maf Smith said:
“Industry has been looking for clear signals from Government on energy policy to enable the long-term investment in the clean energy infrastructure this country desperately needs.
It’s vital that we have a broad energy mix, and that means ensuring we utilise all our renewable energy resources. Wind power provided almost 10% of the UK’s electricity last year, and that is set to double by 2020. We’re a windy country and we shouldn’t turn our back on this great resource.
Today’s speech provides clarity on where the Government stands on the future of offshore wind, which will give developers the confidence to invest in the British economy. Industry has already shown it can rise to the challenge of reducing costs and offshore wind companies are confident they will be cost competitive with new gas and new nuclear by 2025.
Onshore wind has already achieved the kind of cost reductions needed to be competitive and is now one of the cheapest sources of home-grown power in the UK. If we want to cut emissions and keep bills low, Government needs to show that it won’t stand in the way of subsidy free forms of power, like onshore wind, being able to access our energy market and compete head-to-head with options like nuclear and gas.”
