Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcements on energy policy, including the creation of Great British Grid, during his keynote speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, RenewableUK’s CEO Tara Singh said:
'We strongly support the Prime Minister’s ambition to bring Britain’s energy costs into line with other European countries within ten years, and his commitment to a long-term national energy plan and faster rollout of homegrown renewables to achieve that.
'A long-term plan gives businesses the certainty they need to invest billions in British factories, ports, supply chains and jobs. The offshore wind industry alone has invested £100 billion in UK projects over the past 25 years and is set to invest another £100 billion over the next five years.
'Getting the grid right is absolutely central to that. We need faster connections and investment in our networks so we can get home-grown power to the families and businesses that need it. We must also keep pace with the UK's demand for more electricity to power EVs, heat pumps and data centres.
'The renewable energy industry is keen to see more details on the Government’s plans for Great British Grid’s scope and remit, and to understand how it will work alongside industry to crowd in investment in grid infrastructure. We look forward to understanding how its funding fits in with Great British Energy’s other important work, such as developing new supply chains for renewable energy projects. The proposed introduction of greater competition into this part of the energy sector should be done carefully to avoid more delays and further bureaucracy.
'We are already going through the biggest reform of grid connections in a generation, so alongside any new changes we need a relentless focus on delivery, with much greater transparency and accountability over whether projects are actually being connected faster. That is the test that matters.
'Get that right and the prize is huge: lower and more stable bills, greater energy security, and new jobs and investment in communities across Britain.'
Source: RenewableUK
