Thursday 11 May 2017

UK ‘can be leader in storage, EVs, smart grids’

UK ‘can be leader in storage, EVs, smart grids’

The UK can be a leader in numerous low carbon sectors, including solar, bioenergy, electric vehicles, energy storage and smart grids.

That’s according to the Renewable Energy Association (REA), which has launched its ‘Manifesto for Growth’ ahead of the general election.

The trade body believes a low cost and low carbon energy system provides “huge opportunities" for the UK.

Some of its recommendations for the next government are:

  • Recommit support for the Climate Change Act and carbon budgets
  • Commit to publishing a comprehensive Clean Growth Plan by this year’s Autumn Statement, which lays out clear pathways to meeting the UK’s 4th and 5th carbon budgets
  • Commit to the transposition of all EU energy and environmental regulations into UK law after Brexit

REA Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska said: “For the renewables industry, strength and stability are things we crave more than any other.

“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. It is bad for UK industry, for the workforce too.

“Cleantech means jobs for future and the UK can still be leaders in storage and EVs, next generation solar, bioenergy and smart grids if we truly commit. The alternative is being left behind by the rest of the world and squandering our initial lead in these areas.”

RenewableUK has also launched its manifesto wish-list, in which it urges the UK Government to keep consumer energy bills down by investing in domestic, affordable, low carbon power.

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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