REA ‘manifesto’ calls for strength and stability for renewables

The UK’s largest renewables trade body has set out its ‘Manifesto for Growth’ at the All-Energy Conference in Glasgow.

Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association (REA), says a low-cost, low carbon energy system provides huge opportunities for the UK, but the government has to provide clear direction for industry.

“All elections have themes, and as we all know, ‘strong and stable’ is the message Theresa May is taking to the country. For the renewables industry, strength and stability are things we crave more than any other.” Skorupska said at the conference.

“The past two years have seen my members rocked by policy change after policy change, and uncertainty following the Brexit vote. From renewable heat, solar, biomass, biogas, marine- we have not seen a member unaffected. But we now have to put that behind us and push forward.”

REA’s Manifesto for Growth is designed to build on progress already made by the UK renewables industry.

“We have much to celebrate. Next week we will be publishing our annual REview, and despite the uncertainty I’m delighted that we have seen an increase in jobs in renewables, now standing at over 125,000 people working in the UK, up from 117,000 in last year’s report.”

Skorupska highlighted obstacles still facing the renewables sector, and what is needed to overcome them.

“Renewable solutions are now cheaper than fossil fuel scenarios, but are getting blocked to market. This is bad for consumers, who will be paying more now, as well as locked into a higher cost, higher carbon energy system for decades to come.”

“Our manifesto for growth is about creating certainty and confidence, a fresh commitment to the Climate Change Act, a smooth and orderly transition from the EU; and a clear and ambitious Clean Growth Plan which we hope will show a post-Brexit Britain as a dynamic and bold country looking at the opportunities of renewables, not clinging to the industries of the past.” 

 

This article was written by Daryl Worthington, Assistant Editor, Bioenergy Insight