While many in the UK energy sector are wary of the Liberal Democrat involvement in the new government, the Renewable Energy Association is upbeat about Nick Clegg’s party having a share in power

Chief executive Gaynor Hartnell told ELN: “The Liberal Democrats have been the most robust of the three parties on renewables, so we are optimistic. This will be good for us.”

She added that a hung parliament “shouldn’t make any difference” to renewable energy in the UK.

“We’ve got legally-binding renewable targets to meet in the UK and all the parties have signed up to these targets. It’s a question of sticking to the policies that are about to roll out and making sure the momentum continues.”

Asked if she feared commitments to cleaner energy would get shoved down the political agenda in the wake of a hung parliament, she said: “Time is running out for it to get pushed to the bottom of the list. We’ve got to get 15% of all our energy from renewables by 2020. That’s a tall order and we can’t afford to delay.”

Hartnell singled out the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive next April as a key piece of legislation that must remain on track. “The really important thing is doing something on heat. All the other sectors have some kind of policy. Our 600 member companies are looking forward to that policy being introduced.”

Watch the full interview in our TV Reports