The Solar Trade Association (STA) has today welcomed the publication of the Government’s Industrial Strategy consultation. The consultation launched by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) highlights affordable decarbonisation, as well as energy storage as priorities for the Government. Coming shortly after BEIS and Ofgem’s smart power consultation the latest proposals reaffirm Government’s direction of travel towards a modern, flexible network that can deliver clean generation at home, alongside international business opportunities.
Paul Barwell, STA Chief Executive, commented:
“Solar is key to both the smart energy industrial opportunity and to cost-effective decarbonisation. Indeed, BEIS’ own projections have solar as one of the cheapest forms of clean electricity by 2020. There is now an international expectation that solar will form the backbone of clean power systems in future. We look forward to working with BEIS to remove the needless UK barriers that prevent solar making the exceptional contribution that it can to a competitive, modern economy.
The strong political support for storage in this strategy is warmly welcome. Many of our members stand ready today to deliver intelligent storage solutions across the power system. We look forward to working with Government to unlock storage markets in the UK as quickly as possible."
The Government’s priority of affordable energy comes at odds with its removal of support for the cheapest forms of renewable energy, whilst investing in more expensive alternatives. The forthcoming business rates rise for some solar systems will also put off commercial sector investors, who are important stakeholders in the smart energy revolution. The STA is urging Government to align its energy policies to its smart power, affordability and industrial objectives.
ENDS
For further information or to request an interview, please contact:
Name: Leonie Greene
Title: Head of External Affairs
Telephone: 07932 720 091
Background on the Solar Trade Association:
The mission of the Solar Trade Association is to empower the UK solar transformation. We are paving the way for solar to deliver the maximum possible share of UK energy by 2030 by enabling a bigger and better solar industry. We represent both solar heat and power, and have a proven track record of winning breakthroughs for solar PV and solar thermal.
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