Industry executives, MP’s and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) from the South West of England have pledged to work towards building a world-leading renewable energy industry in the region. The South West Renewable Energy Manifesto is supported by LEP’s from West of England, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert, Labour MP Ben Bradshaw and Conservative MP Charlotte Leslie. It will be launched at the House of Commons on 4th June.
The independent not-for-profit company Regen SW has written to all MP’s in the region to invite them to pledge to develop a world leading renewable energy industry in the region which could employ 34,000 people by the end of the decade. The pledge is at the heart of the manifesto which sets out eight key commitments for a sustainable future.
“The South West Renewable Energy Manifesto is a unique commitment from industry, Local Enterprise Partnerships and MPs to build a world-leading sector employing 34,000 people by the end of this decade” said Merlin Hyman, Chief Executive of Regen SW. “The south west played a leading role in the industrial revolution. The first steam engine was built in Dartmouth by Thomas Newcomen, a local ironmonger - we now have the potential again to be a leader in new energy technologies that are changing the world.”
Research by Regen SW reveals a rapid growth in renewable energy generation over the past 12 months although the region is not yet on track to hit current government targets of 15 percent renewable energy by 2020. The manifesto therefore sets an ambitious target to drive forward the industry and deliver high-value jobs through eight specific commitments. These include the development of a consistent regulatory framework to incentivise long-term investment in renewables, investment in the national and local grid, the rolling out of new smart technology and putting communities at the heart of new energy developments.
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