Labour has reaffirmed its commitment to UK offshore wind installed capacity of 52GW by 2030 in its General Election manifesto.
The opposition party document pledges to construct 7000 new offshore wind turbines as set out in its ‘People Power Plan’ unveiled in September.
The party, led by Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) claims construction of the offshore hardware would increase the UK’s existing capacity seven-fold.
Labour also confirmed plans to increase onshore wind capacity to 30GW and solar to 35GW by 2030 ahead of the 12 December poll.
In addition, Labour has promised to “trial and expand tidal energy and invest to reduce the costs of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production.”
The party said it will deliver nearly 90% of electricity and 50% of heat from renewable and low-carbon sources by 2030.
Labour, meanwhile, will nationalise network operator National Grid and replace it with a new UK National Energy Agency.
The body would own and maintain national grid infrastructure and oversee the delivery of decarbonisation targets.
Furthermore, Labour would replace the existing privately-owned district network operators with 14 state-backed Regional Energy Agencies.
RenewableUK director of strategic communications Luke Clark said that Labour is right to identify renewable energy as a major engine for job creation in the years ahead.
He said: “Offshore wind alone will be employing 27,000 people by 2030, regenerating coastal communities and creating supply chain opportunities for companies all over the country.
“We welcome Labour’s ambition to build much-needed new capacity by rolling out more onshore and offshore wind using our two cheapest power sources, as well as their championing of innovative tidal power and the expansion of energy storage and local community projects.
“It’s also good to see a recognition of the importance of upgrading the grid to modernise our energy system, however, reorganising our energy networks risks being a costly and complex option at a time when we need to speed up the decarbonisation of our economy.”