Responding to the net zero and energy security announcements published by the UK Government today [30 Mar], Merlin Hyman, CEO, Regen, commented:
“Today’s Energy Security Day was a pivotal opportunity for the government to ratchet up action towards a clean energy future.
We welcome re-commitments to address critical barriers to clean energy investment such as electricity network infrastructure and planning for renewable projects.
However, the announcements today suggest the government is placing its bets on unproven and costly technologies, whilst allowing the investment climate for proven low-cost renewables to deteriorate.
Regen has set out five key priorities to ensure net zero investment gets back on track [1]. Whilst the government has signalled its intention to ensure clean energy remains investable at the scale required, this package of measures is unlikely to provide the course correction that industry urgently needs.”
For further information and interviews, please contact:
Estelle Limon, Policy and Impact Coordinator at elimon@regen.co.uk or 07875175063
Notes to editors
[1] Regen’s five priorities to maintain net zero investment, as outlined in our response to the Spring budget:
- Reform the Electricity Generator Levy (EGL) to minimise its impact on future investment.
- Extend the ‘Contracts for Difference’ (CfD) scheme to support faster renewable deployment and ensure households can benefit from low-cost renewables.
- Ramp up investment in critical electricity network infrastructure.
- Remove the planning barriers stalling onshore wind deployment in England.
- Provide local and regional powers for energy infrastructure planning and development.
[2] Regen’s paper, published yesterday, ‘Could the government be about to gamble away the UK’s leadership in offshore wind?’ looks at how government could address renewable investment and delivery risk.
About Regen
Regen is an independent centre of energy expertise with a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon energy system. We are leading strategists on the pathway to a zero carbon energy system, focused on analysing the systemic challenges of decarbonising power, heat and transport. www.regen.co.uk