The Westminster parties have been urged to capitalise on the commercial opportunities offered by renewable energy when they shape their manifestos for June’s snap general election.
Responding to today’s announcement by prime minister Theresa May that she is calling a general election on 8 June, RenewableUK’s executive director Emma Pinchbeck urged the competing parties to support the sector, which she said is delivering “major economic benefits” to depressed regions of the UK.
“This is a sector which offers regional economic growth, and an affordable, sustainable, domestic energy supply,” she said.
“And we know that renewable energy is massively popular with voters – three quarters of the public support renewables.
“There is a massive opportunity for an incoming government to reap the benefits of the renewable energy transition. Our response to the government’s industrial strategy, which we submitted yesterday, highlights how our country can benefit from this transition in a global market now worth 100s of billions of dollars every year.”
A coalition of renewable energy bodies outlined the economic benefits delivered by the sector in a joint response to the Department of Business, Energy and Industry’s consultation on the government’s industrial strategy, which was submitted today.
The chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, David Smith, commented: “We look forward to engaging with all political parties in the coming weeks to ensure that their plans for government recognise the important role of gas and electricity infrastructure and how investment in a smarter, more flexible energy system is vital for the consumers and the wider economy.”
And the chief executive of Scottish Renewables, Niall Stuart, added: “Whichever party forms the next UK government, the benefits of decarbonising our energy system at the lowest cost to the consumer remain clear.
“Scottish Renewables and our members are committed to working with the next UK government to capitalise on the potential of renewable energy to improve the competitiveness of our economy while continuing to deliver investment and employment across the UK.”