As the new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak prepares to have an audience with King Charles today before formally taking over at Number 10, the energy industry has greeted Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said: “Cutting people’s energy bills and boosting energy security will be high on the new Prime Minister’s agenda, so we are keen to work with Mr Sunak to achieve this as fast as possible.
“This means pulling out all the stops to quadruple our offshore wind capacity by 2030, as it’s the UK’s cheapest source of new power.
“We are also urging the new Prime Minister to maintain the Conservatives’ commitment to lifting the block on onshore wind in England as it has the support of over 70% of the public and over 80% of Conservative voters.”
Dr Nina Skorupska, Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, said: “As we have repeatedly warned over the last few months of political uncertainty, holding back investment for renewable energy projects will simply store up problems for the future and save relatively little in the short-term.
“This includes recognising how renewables, like solar can benefit and work in conjunction with other land uses, including agriculture. To deliver an energy future that is independent,s secure and stable, we undoubtedly need to accelerate renewable energy deployment. That is how we solve this crisis.”
For Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), the trade association for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry, Sunak’s appointment should be seen as a chance to prioritise “crucial issues”, including helping people pay their energy bills and keeping the lights on in the face of Europe-wide gas shortages.
Deirdre Michie, OEUK’s Chief Executive, said: “The UK needs to secure billions of pounds for offshore investments if it is to keep producing the gas, oil and offshore wind, plus other low-carbon energies, needed for future growth and productivity, and especially for the transition to net zero“.
Rishi Sunak is expected to give a speech outside Number 10 at about 11:35 today.
