Commenting on plans set out today by Labour leader Sir to make Britain a ‘clean
energy superpower’ [1], Peter Chalkley, Director of the
Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said:
“There’s clear political consensus on lifting the onshore
wind ban with Conservatives and Labour both committed to doing
so. The question is how quickly this happens given bills are
still high and the delay means less cheap onshore wind bringing
down household costs. [2]
“The US and EU’s clean energy incentive packages mean two of
the world’s biggest emitters and economies are now stepping up a
gear to attract and grow green industries and polling shows
Britons don’t want to be left behind in this race.
[3]
“The list of companies considering switching investment
across the Atlantic is growing [4] and with nearly a year since
the US Inflation Reduction Act saw spades strike the ground in
the US, the UK’s response won’t be ready until the
autumn.
“The UK’s net zero economy is worth over £70bn and supports
840,000 jobs [5] and the public see it as the sector most likely
to create economic growth in this country.
“The North Sea is in long term decline and additional gas
from new fields wouldn’t make a dent in our gas supply or prices
so, unless we reduce gas demand, we’ll just be paying more for
foreign gas imports come 2030. [6]
“British renewables have a lower carbon footprint than gas,
wherever it’s from and more offshore wind and solar will help
shield households from volatile gas prices, which are predicted
to remain two to three times higher than pre-crisis levels for
the rest of the decade.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Sir is setting out Labour’s
plans at a major speech in Scotland today.
- ECIU found that a planning ban
combined with an exclusion of onshore wind from two of the
government’s Contracts for Difference (CfDs) renewables auctions
could have added around £800 million to UK energy costs last
winter: https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2022/ban-on-onshore-wind-could-cost-800-million-this-winter
- ECIU Poll: Brits back green
investment, £28bn and Government battery factory
support:https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2023/poll-brits-back-green-investment-28bn-and-government-battery-factory-support
- Companies such as Arrival,
Britishvolt and ITM Power have either quit the UK of are moving
to the US. ECIU analysis has also found that £13.3bn of car
exports could be in jeopardy if the UK doesn’t speed up its
transition to manufacturing electric cars: https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2023/failure-to-develop-electric-car-industry-puts-13bn-of-uk-exports-in-jeopardy
- ECIU & CBI Economics: Mapping
the net zero economy:https://eciu.net/analysis/reports/2023/mapping-the-uk-net-zero-economy
- ECIU: UK homes to be heavily
dependent on foreign gas under Government plans – £5,700 per
household over 12 years: https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2023/uk-homes-to-be-heavily-dependent-on-foreign-gas-under-government-plans-5-700-per-household-over-12-years
