Rendering of Sizewell C nuclear power stationLast month, the Government published its Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, which was developed with ‘industry, trade unions, and workers across all regions of the country’, and sets the UK on a path ‘to unleash the tidal wave of jobs and investment that clean energy can bring’, with the Government targeting ‘at least a doubling of current investment levels across our frontier Clean Energy Industries to over £30 billion per year by 2035’.
The plan comes after the recent Spending Review confirmed the largest programme of investment in homegrown energy in UK history, from launching a new age of nuclear with funding to build Sizewell C nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast and small modular reactors, to £9.4 billion for carbon capture industries. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This Government is doubling down on Britain’s clean-power strengths as we build this new era of clean energy abundance, helping deliver good jobs, energy security and lower household bills. The UK’s pitch is clear — Build it in Britain. Power the world.”
Dan McGrail, chief executive of
Great British Energy — the new, publicly owned clean energy company, said: “Great British Energy will help the UK win the global race for clean energy jobs and growth by investing in homegrown supply chains and ensuring key infrastructure parts are made here in Britain. We are working closely with businesses across the clean energy sector to invest in areas of strategic need and will get funding out as fast as possible to get new projects off the ground.
“As part of this plan, Great British Energy will have an additional £700 million to help build manufacturing facilities here at home for key components for the clean power revolution, like floating offshore platforms, electric cables, and cutting edge hydrogen infrastructure. This builds on Great British Energy’s initial £300 million for offshore wind supply chains, which the Energy Secretary confirmed has already catalysed a further £700 million from industry and The Crown Estate.”
Martin Pibworth, chief executive designate at the multinational energy company
SSE plc, said: “Doubling down on homegrown energy is the right thing for security, resilience and affordability, making the most of the UK’s competitive geographical and technical advantages in renewables in particular.
“It is exactly the kind of commitment that gives industry the confidence to deliver at pace and scale; and with important decisions on energy policy imminent, we hope to see a continued focus on unlocking investment that drives growth. As the UK’s clean energy champion, SSE is investing £17.5 billion over the five years to 2027 — building the infrastructure, creating high-quality jobs, supporting the supply chain, and driving the innovation needed to deliver a ‘net zero’ economy.”