So in the last few weeks we have welcomed a new government and a new Prime Minister into #10 Downing Street.
In the run up to the election, Labour talked about growing the economy, reforming planning to build the housing we need, and transport and energy infrastructure. All of these have an impact upon climate and our Net Zero target for 2050, and Starmer has talked about taking a lead on climate.
Of particular interest to our customers of domestic solar and heat pump projects are the appointment of two new members of the team at the Department of Energy and Net Zero are:
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP as Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. Her remit will be clean heat - including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (which offers £7,500 off heat pump installations for existing homes replacing fossil fuel systems or self-builders installing their first heating system); energy consumer issues including the Energy Price Cap and Smart Meters, public sector decarbonisation and much more besides!
Miatta was formerly a policy advisor and think tank worker for the New Economics Foundation and Institute for Public Policy Research.
Find out more here: Miatta Fahnbulleh MP - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Michael Shanks MP appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy and Net Zero. His ministerial responsibilities include: renewables and biomass, energy systems, the grid and networks, energy security, resilience and preparedness.
Michael is expected to handle GB Energy, Review of the Feed in Tarff and grid and Networks during the past year. He waws formerly a teacher and latterly, the Shadow Minister for Scotland.
Find out more here: Michael Shanks MP - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The King's speech also further outlined the measures the incoming Labour Government intends to introduce during the next session of Parliament. Several of these will impact on the renewable energy sector. For example:
The National Wealth Fund Bill will be a central part of the new Government’s economic plans. Through the Fund the Government aims to invest £7.3 billion in UK economic opportunities. Priority will be given to achieving Net Zero and to the Labour Green Prosperity Plan. The Fund will apply across the UK.
The Great British Energy Bill will establish GB Energy as a publicly owned, legal entity which will own, manage and operate clean power projects across the UK. This is intended to enable the benefits of homegrown energy to be available to all and to lower bills as well as encourage technological developments.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is intended to streamline the building of infrastructure across the UK. It includes boosting renewable energy as well as accelerating upgrades to the national grid.
The Crown Estate Bill will allow the Crown Estate to borrow money for the first time and to undertake other reforms. This will have a significant impact on the installation of offshore windfarms since the Crown Estate owns the seabed off England and Wales.
We look forward to seeing how these pan out in the coming months and years as we work to support our customers to switch to green clean renewable energy.
Please get in touch to book a free survey online or get a free heat pump estimate! I look forward to hearing from you.
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