The next government will be responsible for the UK succeeding – or failing – in meeting its 2020 renewable energy targets, according to the Renewable Energy Association (REA). It could also be the government that turns the budding renewable energy industry into the main economic engine for creating jobs and growth in the energy sector and reducing the UK’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.¹ 

To that end, REA, via its “Growing the Renewable Energy Economy” manifesto, has laid out what it calls a “blueprint” for the next government, clearly outlining the key ‘manifesto asks’ for all the REA’s key technologies across renewable heating, power and transport fuels. A common theme across all sectors is the need for clear, stable policy. Matched with ambitious government plans, REA claims, this will create jobs, investment and growth, and help the UK catch up in the global clean energy race —a race in which it currently lags behind, sitting 26^th out of 28 in the EU renewables league table.

The REA Manifesto, which was presented at a series of breakfast seminars that the Renewable Energy Association began running earlier this week, aims to build on the newly launched ‘Action for Renewables’ campaign, which sets six top-line key requests for the next government:
 

1. Support the Climate Change Act to keep the UK on course to meet its carbon commitments and back global efforts to tackle climate change
2. Set a new renewables target of 30% of UK energy by 2030
3. Back the Independent Committee on Climate Change’s recommendation to set a binding target for low carbon electricity by 2030
4. Fund the Renewable Heat Incentive for new applications after 2016
5. Boost the UK’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to reach the 10% renewable energy target for transport by 2020
6. Reform the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure the market takes account of all sectors’ polluting cost of carbon emissions

“From clean power infrastructure to Zero Carbon Homes and from heat networks to sustainable transport, this is the most comprehensive guide a government could wish for if they’re seeking to maximise the value of this young, vibrant and innovative industry,” said Dr Nina Skorupska, REA chief executive. “Looking out to 2020, this manifesto sets out how the Government can keep up the progress on renewable electricity, and accelerate the roll-out of renewable heating technologies and transport fuels. Certainty beyond 2020 is also vital to enable industry to invest in innovation, expansion, skills and supply chains.”

The UK’s Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Davey, recognised and welcomed REA’s efforts as well as the report, adding: “In Government, the Liberal Democrats have more than doubled renewable energy generation — thanks to proper investment in the sector. We have been at the forefront of reforming the electricity market to help cut bills, which is crucial to building a fairer society. And that’s not all — as part of creating a stronger economy, we are on target to produce 250,000 green jobs across the UK by 2020.”

But Davey said Government wants to do even more, by introducing a legally binding decarbonisation target to green the country’s electricity and boost renewable heating. “The Liberal Democrats are looking ahead to a greener and reformed energy market, which benefits the consumer and puts the environment first,” he explained. “Pioneering work by the Renewable Energy Association’s members is vital to achieving these goals.”

For its part, the Renewable Energy Association said it will continue to work with fellow trade associations and other stakeholders to make the case for growing the renewable energy economy in the run-up to the general election.

 View the REA’s manifesto, “Growing the Renewable Energy Economy,” in its entirety online.    

1. In the Renewable Energy Association’s recent report, REVIEW, it found that policies put in place to date towards the 2020 renewable energy targets have generated £30 billion of investment, sustaining more than 100,000 jobs. REA also predicts that achieving the 2020 targets would generate a further £64 billion of investment, sustaining a total of 400,000 jobs.