Commenting on the appointment of Miatta Fahnbulleh as the new Energy Secretary, and on the departure of her predecessor Ed Miliband, RenewableUK’s CEO Tara Singh said:
'We're looking forward to working closely with Miatta Fahnbulleh and the new Government to achieve what households and businesses across the country want most: lower energy bills, greater energy security and good jobs in every part of the UK.
'Miatta's experience as the minister responsible for energy consumers, together with the new Prime Minister's focus on affordability and the cost of living, puts her in a strong position to drive that agenda forward.
'Renewables are our best bet for delivering affordable, homegrown power. New onshore wind generates electricity at around half the cost of new gas-fired power stations, while offshore wind is around 40% cheaper.
'We want to build on this by working with Government to take unnecessary costs out of the system wherever possible. Faster and more predictable planning decisions, quicker grid connections and greater certainty for investors can all help to reduce the cost of delivering new energy infrastructure, benefiting billpayers as well as businesses. Just as importantly, we need to ensure local communities see real benefits from new projects and are closely involved in shaping them, helping to build the public support needed to deliver infrastructure more quickly and successfully.
'As well as delivering energy security and affordable power, the renewable energy industry and its growing supply chain are also helping to reindustrialise parts of the country which need new opportunities after years of decline, creating skilled jobs, attracting investment and supporting British manufacturing from our coastal communities to industrial heartlands. In offshore wind alone, we expect to deliver £100 billion of investment and reach almost 100,000 jobs by 2030.
'The Prime Minister has made clear that his Government's priorities are making life's essentials more affordable, reindustrialising Britain and backing domestic industry. Renewable energy can help deliver all three. That's why we're urging Ms Fahnbulleh to maximise the amount of new renewable energy capacity secured through the current auction for new projects, helping to deliver lower bills, stronger energy security, new investment and good jobs right across the UK.
'Our members would also very much like to thank Ed Miliband for his service as Energy Secretary, building on over twenty years of commitment to clean power. During his most recent time in office, the Government took a number of significant steps to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, including lifting the effective ban on onshore wind in England, progressing planning and grid reforms, and securing record levels of new capacity through clean power auctions.
'These reforms have helped to strengthen the foundations for a more secure, affordable and homegrown energy system, while creating the conditions for greater investment and growth across the UK's renewable energy sector. We look forward to continuing to work with Ed in his new role as Foreign Secretary with responsibility for international climate diplomacy.'
Source: RenewableUK
