We’re coming up for a month of Labour in Parliament after a landslide election in July. So, what has been accomplished in the first 34 days of new government? Here’s your quick breakdown of the progress on Labour’s energy promises.
Ed Miliband approves new solar projects
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband approved three large solar farms in Suffolk, Lincolnshire, and Rutland, which together will generate 1.35GW of power, enough to supply around 400,000 homes. This approval, which happened the first weekend after the election, reverses previous blocks set by the Tory administration and marks a significant boost to the UK’s solar capacity.
Ed Miliband has also said he wants to “unleash a rooftop revolution,” adapting planning rules so that builders and homeowners have better access to the installation of solar panels. That change is still to be seen but it has clearly been set out on the Labour agenda.
Great British Energy launches
Labour’s first month in government also saw the launch of Great British Energy (GBE), a publicly owned company aimed at channelling investment into renewable projects. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged an investment worth £8.3 billion into GBE in the first 5-year term. The aim is for the UK to benefit from the opportunities in clean power.
While a YouGov poll commissioned by CommonWealth in February suggested that 66 per cent support a national energy company, there is still much left to be seen. Keep up to date with our monthly newsletter for all the latest updates on GBE and other energy policy news.
Contracts for Difference (CfD) budget raised
The government has increased the budget for the next CfD auction round by 50%, allocating £1.5 billion to support new clean energy projects, including a significant boost for offshore wind. This measure aims to provide financial stability for investors and expedite the deployment of renewable energy sources.
Previously, the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero shared that it is looking to reform its CfD scheme. Via the proposed updates, renewable energy generators would be rewarded for upskilling workers in their supply chains and supporting the development of the wider industry.
Onshore wind restrictions lifted
The Labour government has lifted restrictions on onshore wind projects that had effectively acted as a ban. This change is expected to facilitate the development of onshore wind farms, contributing to the goal of doubling onshore wind capacity by 2030.
Yet to be seen from Labour…
Along with building Britain up to be a “clean energy superpower,” Labour also plans to ban fracking and stop new oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea. Halting new oil projects could be deemed a major win in the realm of net zero, but it hasn’t been received entirely with open arms.
Nearly 200 local firms from Scottish towns signed an open letter from the union Unite, urging Labour to reconsider its policy of banning new North Sea oil and gas exploration until it has a comprehensive plan to replace jobs. The fear, it states, comes from a lack of accounting for the 30,000 jobs that will be lost during the transition.
“They understand about climate change, but what our members are most worried about is that they don’t see a jobs plan in place,” says Unite’s senior organiser, Joe Rollin.
“Being thrown on the scrap heap is what really scares people, because they’ve got mortgages and food to put on tables.”
Overall, it could be said that Labour has hit the ground running, quickly lifting the onshore wind ban and pushing Great British Energy forward. For more updates, be sure to watch this space.
