Green Party promises £35bn for renewables

The Green Party has vowed to invest up to £35 billion to speed up the “renewables revolution” in the UK. Its manifesto, which was launched by leader Natalie Bennett, claims […]

The Green Party has vowed to invest up to £35 billion to speed up the “renewables revolution” in the UK.

Its manifesto, which was launched by leader Natalie Bennett, claims how the party’s strategy for energy efficiency can change the energy system based mainly on electricity form renewables within 15-20 years.

“The UK is 25th out of 27 in the European renewable energy league table, despite having some of the best resources for renewable energy in Europe,” it states.

The investment in renewable generation would include small to large scale schemes funded through local authorities.

Green energy

Under the party’s plans, all schools, hospitals and other public buildings would have solar panels by 2020, with the aim of installing 25 GW of solar power and 42GW of offshore wind by 2020. It would give the Green Investment Bank full borrowing powers to help fund this investment.

The party also aims to encourage all social landlords to develop plans to install solar panels where suitable.

The manifesto claims: “Schemes such as these can save people on low incomes the equivalent of up to two weeks’ rent.”

The party said it will spend £2.5 billion on research and deployment programmes for other renewable sources such as wave and tidal stream generators and also for storage technologies.

Coal and nuclear power

It also aims to phase out fossil fuel-based generation, including the closure of all coal-fired power stations by 2023 as well as phasing out nuclear power within 10 years.

The manifesto states the party would support for the potential deployment of carbon capture and storage to existing biomass and gas power stations but only as a transitional technology.

Read the Green Party’s full manifesto here.

The Conservatives also released their manifesto today, with announcements including a ban on onshore wind subsidies but continued support for fracking. 

The Labour Party launched its manifesto this week, which includes pledges to get tough on energy companies and tackle climate change.

The Liberal Democrats have promised plans for 24-hour energy switching and set out its five green pledges.

UKIP said it would get rid of DECC, repeal the Climate Change Act, pledged to support fracking and coal and scrap solar and wind support.

 

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