The UK government has defended its energy policies following a letter from business leaders calling for clear leadership and long-term stable policies.
The government listed 10 things it said it is doing to attract investment in “clean, secure and affordable energy”.
It said it has confirmed support for up to 10GW of new offshore wind projects in the 2020s, with a further three auctions in this Parliament if the government’s conditions on cost reduction are met.
Committed to more than double the support given to households and businesses to decarbonise their heating supply in this parliament – to £1.15bn from £430m.
Signed the Paris agreement, which sends a clear signal to business to invest in the low-carbon transition.
Set out plans to close all unabated coal plants by 2025, as well as commit to the first new nuclear plant for a generation at Hinkley Point C.
Other points included energy efficiency measures and finance, money for heat networks, cash for nuclear innovations and a 50% increase in the UK climate finance commitment to a total of £5.8 billion over the next five years.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd (pictured) said: “This government is taking long-term decisions today to tackle a legacy of under-investment, build a system of energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century and to create the right environment for business to invest in clean, affordable and secure energy.
“But we don’t apologise for doing this at the same time as working to keep bills as low as possible and making sure that the people that foot the bill, the hardworking families and businesses of Britain, get a good deal.
“We know that old and dirty coal, and some ageing nuclear power plants will be closing over the next few years, and that’s precisely why we’ve put in place a long-term plan to ensure we have secure, affordable and clean energy supplies that can be relied on now and in the future.
“We are the first country to propose an end date to using unabated coal and we will do so in a way that maintains energy security, which comes first.
“We are clear that a range of energy sources such as nuclear, offshore wind and shale gas all have roles to play in the low-carbon energy mix, powering our country and safeguarding our future economic security.”
Image: DECC
