The Liberal Democrats energy strategy in its manifesto has been welcomed but some in the industry say it’s “not yet clear” how the targets will be met.

Mike Foster, Chief Executive of the Energy & Utilities Alliance (EUA) – a trade body that provides a leading industry voice to help shape the future policy direction – said: “We would hope this would include working with industry because this is the only way to achieve energy efficiency improvements in homes.

“This is an ambitious manifesto and we wouldn’t want it to fail because they again failed to listen to industry.”

Mr Foster added: “We are disappointed their manifesto has no explicit mention of heat. We need to more than just insulate homes.”

The Lib Dems’ manifesto includes 24-hour energy switching, plans to stimulate at least £100 billion of private investment in the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure and five green pledges.

The Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA) welcomed the “exciting prospect” for the renewables sector.

Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton added: “In particular, the Resource Efficiency and Zero Waste Britain Act would reinstate the Landfill Tax escalator and encourage local authorities to extend food waste collections to at least 90% of homes by 2020 – delivering the vital feedstock which will increase anaerobic digestion’s capacity by six-fold.

“Additionally, the Zero Carbon Britain Act commitment to set a new legally binding for Zero Carbon Britain by 2050, together with extra support for the Green Investment Bank, signals strong support for low carbon renewable energy technologies, including anaerobic digestion.”