RenewableUK and the REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology) have welcomed the UK Labour Party’s plans to fast-track clean energy projects through the planning process if elected.
Labour leader Keir Starmer announced this morning that the party would reduce the approval time for projects “from years to months” once in government, along with removing the de-facto ban on onshore wind.
Chief executive Dan McGrail (pictured) said: “There are so many benefits to increasing the UK’s renewable energy ambitions, and focusing on areas where the UK has strengths, like offshore wind, tidal stream and green hydrogen.
“Renewables provide low-cost electricity for billpayers and businesses, create thousands of highly paid jobs, and offer our children a future where climate change is mitigated and Britain is sheltered from the volatility of global gas prices and aggressive foreign governments.
“Support for onshore wind remains sky-high among local communities in every opinion poll.
“It’s one of our cheapest sources of new power so it can reduce our energy bills, and it can boost this country’s energy security faster than other technologies.
“But we won’t be able to see these benefits without removing the de-facto ban currently in place in England, so that onshore wind can be treated like any other energy infrastructure in the planning process.
“This will involve early engagement and close consultation with communities and local authorities – many of which are telling us that that they want to put forward their own projects.
“Overall, it’s clear that delivering Labour’s renewable energy ambitions will require considerable reforms to planning, grid development, regulatory frameworks and skills policy.
“We need to address these issues as a matter of urgency, so welcome clarity on them.
“We hope Labour will continue to engage with industry going forward, establishing a partnership approach to developing solutions which will maximise the economic benefits of the energy transition for communities throughout the UK.”
The REA has also welcomed the Labour Party’s launch of their energy policy proposals.
The package of policies announced, described as the “national mission on clean energy” are designed to decarbonise the energy system and industry, including setting up a national clean energy company, decarbonising electricity supply by 2030 and a national wealth fund to invest in green infrastructure.
Furthermore, the headquarters of the new state-owned green energy company GB Energy promised by Labour is to be based in Scotland and the Party has said it would create 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in Scotland in the clean power sector, focussing on a Just Transition.
However, the REA notes that any actions to help remove barriers to make the UK a clean energy superpower by 2030 must focus on the full range of technologies available and look beyond the power sector to decarbonise areas of heat and transport as well.
The this includes supporting innovative home-grown bioenergy technologies, such as BECCS, along with deep geothermal and marine power, it said.
We require a wide range of business models and technologies to deliver decarbonisation of the energy sector and unleash the highly skilled green jobs and investment we know are out there.
Chief executive at the REA Dr Nina Skorupska said: “We welcome today’s announcement from Labour that clean energy will be at the heart of their energy plans for the UK, if elected.
“As Sir Keir makes clear, renewables can deliver cheaper, greener power than any alternatives and must be rolled out at scale as quickly as possible.
“The REA echoes his statement that clean energy is now essential for national security.
“We will be interested to see further details on the GB Energy proposals and agree in principle that local communities should benefit economically from projects in their areas, as this could become a major added benefit of the Net Zero transition, with local authorities being well placed to decide how best to distribute these benefits.
“We now need to see a greater focus across the full range of renewable technologies, including bioenergy, geothermal and marine, in addition to the welcome commitments on onshore wind and solar.”
Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy, responded to the plan saying: “Building new clean energy like onshore wind, offshore wind and solar farms will not only help fight climate change, but reduce costs and increase national security.
“We’d love to see market reform so that customers benefit from this cheap energy.”