UK Industry Bodies Again Call For Renewable Energy To Be Part Of Industrial Strategy

Renewable energy trade bodies are again openly calling for the UK Government to prioritize clean technologies as part of its long-awaited Industrial Strategy.

The UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy announced on Monday that consultation for its Industrial Strategy had finally closed, three months after opening. “We want to build an industrial strategy that addresses long-term challenges to the UK economy,” the Department noted at the time.

In response, the country’s wind and marine energy trade body, RenewableUK, published its response to the Government’s green paper, detailing ways in which wind and marine technologies “can meet the challenge of providing affordable energy and clean growth.” The document published by RenewableUK (PDF) demonstrates the ways in which both the wind and marine industries are already providing significant economic benefits to the UK.

“We believe that the diverse, rapidly growing, renewables sector has solutions to the main challenges outlined in the Industrial Strategy,” RenewableUK noted in its response, and outline the opportunities the UK face to build world-leading renewable energy industries.

“It’s important that industries in the renewable energy sector work together in initiatives like this to make a joint case to Government demonstrating that low-carbon power is the way ahead,” said RenewableUK’s Executive Director, Emma Pinchbeck.

“RenewableUK’s full response to the Industrial Strategy, which we’ve just submitted to Government, amplifies this with data and case studies. It shows that onshore and offshore wind, wave and tidal energy are key technologies, already delivering for Britain, and ready to power our country for decades with the right framework of support.

“Wind and marine energy tick all the boxes set out in the Industrial Strategy. These are innovative industries, growing exponentially, bringing economic benefits to all energy consumers, as well as creating thousands of jobs and attracting billions in investment.”

RenewableUK was also one of six trade organizations acting as signatories of a joint letter (PDF) sent to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, urging the Government to embrace a wide range of renewable energy technologies in its final Industrial Strategy. The letter argues that, “Low-carbon sources are now the low-cost energy option — with cost reductions more akin to those seen in electronics than traditional infrastructure,” and that the “nature of renewables infrastructure also guards against inflationary pressures and growing import dependency.”

“If we act early to develop the right frameworks, low-cost, clean energy combined with new storage solutions and the adoption of smart digital technologies will drive innovation and investment across the UK’s regions and potentially enable exceptional export opportunities across the world.”

The letter was signed by RenewableUK, the Solar Trade Association, The Electricity Storage Network, REA, Regen, and Scottish Renewables.

“Renewable energy is now a huge global industry and we can be proud that Britain is a key player,” said Scottish Renewables Director of Policy Jenny Hogan. “Capitalising on our enviable natural resources and energy expertise the sector in Scotland is already producing remarkable industrial benefits, providing affordable energy and clean growth to the UK economy.

“With the right backing from Government, renewable energy can continue to be the driver of our growing low-carbon economy for generations to come.”