Industry leaders urge new energy secretary to step up renewables

The newly appointed energy secretary has been urged to step up the adoption of renewables by industry leaders.

Miatta Fahnbulleh was named as the replacement for Ed Miliband who has moved to be foreign secretary.

RenewableUK’s CEO Tara Singh said Fahnbulleh’s previous experience as the minister responsible for energy consumers puts her in a strong position to drive the new prime minister’s agenda on affordability and the cost of living.

"Renewables are our best bet for delivering affordable, homegrown power. New onshore wind generates electricity at around half the cost of new gas-fired power stations, while offshore wind is around 40% cheaper,” she said.

Singh said the industry wanted to work with government to take unnecessary costs out of the system wherever possible.

“Faster and more predictable planning decisions, quicker grid connections and greater certainty for investors can all help to reduce the cost of delivering new energy infrastructure, benefiting billpayers as well as businesses.”