Renewable energy should be at the heart of the Industrial Strategy - and General Election Campaign

In its response to the Government’s consultation on the Strategy, RenewableUK shows how these technologies can meet the challenge of providing affordable energy and clean growth. The document demonstrates that these industries are already providing major economic benefits to UK regions, including in areas with relatively low GVA needing new opportunities.

Our response shows that renewable energy offers a growing export market in manufacturing and services, and that the UK is in a strong position to secure high-value contracts. RenewableUK has also sent a joint letter, with five other trade associations, to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, urging the Government to embrace a wide range of renewable technologies in its Industrial Strategy.

The letter states that “low carbon sources are now the low-cost energy option – with cost reductions more akin to those seen in electronics than traditional infrastructure”.

The signatories to the letter are: RenewableUK, Scottish Renewables, Renewable Energy Association, Solar Trade Association, Regen, and the Electricity Storage Network.

RenewableUK’s Executive Director, Emma Pinchbeck, said: “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. 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”.

Speaking of the joint letter, Scottish Renewables Director of Policy Jenny Hogan said: "Renewable energy is now a huge global industry and we can be proud that Britain is a key player. 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.”

RenewableUK reaction to General Election announcement

And responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement, RenewableUK’s Executive Director Emma Pinchbeck said: “Political parties should support a vibrant renewable energy sector if they want to be successful in Government: this is a sector which offers regional economic growth, and an affordable, sustainable, domestic energy supply. And we know that renewable energy is massively popular with voters - three-quarters of the public support renewables. There is a massive opportunity for an incoming Government to reap the benefits of the renewable energy transition. Our response to the Government’s Industrial Strategy, which we submitted yesterday, highlights how our country can benefit from this transition in a global market now worth hundreds of billions of dollars every year. The companies we represent are the innovators and risk takers Britain needs.  They are bringing new business models and technologies to market and driving down costs for consumers across the UK.  The sector is vibrant and valuable, bringing forward cheap onshore wind, building the largest offshore wind farms in the world, and taking advantage of our world-leading marine renewables resources. Renewable energy is a sector in which Britain can lead, and that should be recognised in the General Election campaign”.