Energy Bill delay 'could hamper green industry'
FEARS that delays in the Government's Energy Bill could hamper the Humber's renewables future will be presented to the Prime Minister
The Energy Bill will contain details about the level of government support for different types of energy sources, including wind and nuclear.
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Raising concerns: Dr Ian Kelly, chief executive of Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce.
It was expected to be laid before Parliament before the summer recess, however this failed to happen.
Now Martyn Pellew, the president of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), is heading to 10 Downing Street to highlight how uncertainty over Government support for renewables in stifling investment and holding back projects which could revitalise UK plc.
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The move follows a meeting at the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce where members raised concerns with Mr Pellew about how uncertainty in the sector is holding back investment in our region.
Dr Ian Kelly, chief executive of the chamber, said: "The BCC has confirmed to me that as soon as the conference season is over, they will be taking our concerns about the Energy Bill to Downing Street.
"In order to nail down big investment decisions in the energy industry, the Energy Bill has to be laid down before parliament, and quickly.
"This is the case right across the UK industry but obviously the big project for us relates to Siemens."
As well as delays with the Energy Bill, confidence among the wind energy sector in particular has been shaken by the axing of the former energy minister Charles Hendry in a cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Hendry, who described wind energy as "vital" to the UK's future energy mix was replaced by John Hayes, who reportedly described wind farms as "a terrible intrusion" and said renewable energy sources, such as wind farms, needed to prove they were environmentally as well as economically sustainable.
My Hayes later told the press he supported onshore wind, so long as it was "appropriately sited".
Dr Kelly said: "It is vital all sides of the coalition Government push on strongly with their offshore renewables ambitions for the Humber and that the upcoming Energy Bill, to go before Parliament soon, delivers the certainty and confidence multi-national investors need to push on with their investments."
Comments
by Jasbee
Thursday, October 04 2012, 3:06PM
“Maybe the government is getting smarter & realising so called renewable energy is a worthless scam. No more money for the wind farm builders. Reality has finally dawned.”