Claire Coutinho has been appointed as the UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), replacing Grant Shapps.
She was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education.
Coutinho, who voiced her support of the UK’s offshore wind strategy in her maiden speech to Parliament in 2020, has been the MP for East Surrey since 2019.
Writing of her new role on social media, she said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
“I will work with the Prime Minister to safeguard our energy security, reduce bills for families, and build cleaner, cheaper, homegrown energy.”
The cabinet reshuffle follows Shapps’ departure from the head of DESNZ to take up the role of Defence Secretary, following the resignation of Ben Wallace.
Shapps ran the energy department for just under six months, including during its previous form as department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), from 7 February 2023 to 31 August 2023.
RenewableUK chief Dan McGrail welcomed the appointment, saying it comes at a time when the UK is facing “unprecedented global economic challenges”.
“We need urgent intervention from the new Secretary of State to re-establish the UK as the best destination for international investment in renewables, as our competitors are upping the ante and trying to lure developers and manufacturers elsewhere,” he added.
“There is already a lot of goodwill in the sector towards Claire, who championed offshore wind in her maiden speech in 2020, highlighting our global leadership in this technology.
“She was also a member of the Conservative Environment Network, which champions the case for moving faster and further on renewables to deliver cheap power for consumers and strengthen our energy security.
“We’re looking forward to meeting her in her new role as soon as possible, to discuss new measures which will help us to strengthen the UK’s position as a world leader in clean tech, and enable the government to reach its net-zero goal on time and at the lowest cost”.
Commenting on the new appointment, Dave Timms, head of political affairs at Friends of the Earth, said Shapps has promoted new drilling for oil and gas against the advice of his own climate advisors.
Timms said: “The country needs a serious Secretary of State that will step up to give the certainty and support that businesses and people need to invest in the changes that will cut both emissions and the cost of living.
“We hope Claire Coutinho will be that person.”