The UK’s failure to meet renewable targets underline the need for the Government to urgently address its policy gaps, according to a new report from a renewables body.
The industry annual report published by the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) concluded that while the renewables industry has shown “great resilience and ingenuity”, the UK government is “failing to match its net zero commitments with action”.
As highlighted in last year’s report, much of the industry is weighted towards London and the south east, reflecting a trend across the economy.
The report’s modelling shows that “consistent and proactive support” from the government, for example, more use of supply chain plans, could see future jobs and investment distributed more equally across every region and nation of the UK.
Other key findings of the report reveal that over 140,000 people were employed in the renewable energy and clean tech sector in 2020/21.
The REA forecasts this could increase to 210,000 by 2035, with the market value of the sector more than doubling from around £22bn to £46bn in the same time period.
The report also found that wind energy remains the dominant technology within the renewable power sector, with offshore and onshore accounting for more than half of all renewable generation.
Solar PV produces around 10%.
REA chief executive Nina Skorupska (pictured) said: “Despite the immense challenges facing a whole range of sectors over the past few years, REview22 highlights the continued resilience and ingenuity of the renewable energy and clean technology industry.
“We are projecting that thousands of new jobs and billions of pounds will be added by the sector by 2035, and these figures could be even greater should the Government deliver the right support.
“Of course, these numbers are by no means guaranteed if the Government continues to provide patchy and unreliable policy.
“We are clear, tackling climate change and boosting our economy is not an ‘either-or’ decision.
“In fact, it goes hand in hand. I would urge the Government to recognise the opportunities on offer for our country and finally match their warm words with action.”