Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has been accused of snubbing the UK solar energy industry after refusing to meet with London Assembly members to discuss cuts to feed-in tariffs for solar PV.
London Assembly chair Jeanette Arnold wrote to Rudd on behalf of Assembly Members last November requesting a meeting to discuss the impact of the proposed changes on London’s solar industry.
Rudd responded last week saying she was unable to meet due to “diary commitments”.
Labour London Assembly member Murad Qureshi said the government’s 64% solar FiT cut to 4.39p/kWh could undermine any progress towards “making London a global centre for new renewable energy generation”.
Approximately 2740 people are currently employed in the manufacturing, installation and maintenance of solar panels in London and Qureshi said any reduction in demand would risk the government “looking determined to kill off renewables in the capital”.
Qureshi said: “The Secretary of State’s refusal to meet with Assembly Members comes as a huge snub to nearly 3000 solar energy workers in London, whose industry is under threat.
“It is incredibly important that the government understands the full impact their cuts to feed-in tariffs are having on this fledgling industry. As it stands, they appear hell bent on sucking the sunshine out of domestic and community energy schemes.”
The changes to the FiT come into force on 8 February.
Image: Amber Rudd (DECC)
