An email from Chris Huhne:
Today we are taking a key step on the road to a more prosperous, fairer and greener Britain. We’ve announced support for wind turbine manufacture at Britain’s ports – opening the way to a major expansion of the country’s offshore wind industry.
The last week has been tough. None of us came into government to make cuts. Throughout the spending review, as Liberal Democrats and as a Government, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions. We believe they are necessary to stabilise Britain’s economy and eliminate the massive deficit in the public finances.
As Liberal Democrats in Government we can set the course for economic recovery – encouraging green growth as we move to create a truly sustainable low-carbon economy. The Coalition Government is working on our plans for a Green Investment Bank, we’re investing £1 billion in the first carbon capture and storage demonstration project and investing more than £800 million in renewable heat. And we will be implementing Liberal Democrat plans for a Green Deal to ensure energy saving in every home – cutting energy, cutting carbon emissions and cutting energy costs for families – as well as creating jobs around the country.
We need world-class infrastructure to support our economic growth. Even in the face of such pressure on public finances, we will prioritise the areas that will help us dump the deficit and bring low-carbon jobs, manufacturing and skills to the UK.
So today we have committed £60 million to support offshore wind manufacturing infrastructure at port sites. I am delighted that three global firms – GE, Siemens and Gamesa – have responded by outlining proposals to invest hundreds of millions of pounds in opening new wind turbine factories in the UK, creating thousands of jobs and providing clean energy for Britain’s homes and factories.
Working with Nick Clegg, Vince Cable and Danny Alexander on the green recovery has reminded me of the difference Liberal Democrats are making in Government. There is much more to do but I am determined that we will deliver on our pledge to make this the greenest government ever.
Follow @libdemvoice.org on Bluesky
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Six council by-elections, spread over two days
Carers remain forgotten in government's welfare overhaul
Steffan Aquarone's Commons debate on coastal communities
Getting things done - Saggar Street - an update #dundeewestend
Loving our neighbours
Getting the basics right
Roland
Joseph Bourke
Stephen Nash
Margot Wilson
9 Comments
It’s worth pointing out that from the perspective of the industry the £60 million Ports Fund is more important than the £1 billion Green Bank. This may seem contrary, but the former is a signal that the Government intends to put in place a policy framework that will support the development of offshore wind – appropriate incentives, support mechanisms and so on. The latter is just another way of providing finance, which will come anyway if the policy framework is correct. Needless to say, we’re very happy with this.
This is a specifically Lib Dem policy, and an important one. I hope there will be many more implemented in this vital area!
“UK chancellor Alistair Darling announced Government funding of up to £60m for the development of port sites to meet the needs of offshore wind turbine manufacturers looking to locate new facilities in the UK. (25 Mar 2010)”
Specifically LibDem policy? To reannounce previous Labour initiatives? Oh, and why was there any doubt Labour’s plan would happen – according to the Guardian it was because:
“The energy secretary, Chris Huhne, is understood to be determined to set up a Green Investment Bank, which will have to take public funds for existing renewable and low-carbon schemes, such as the ports, to have sufficient capital.”
Unbelievable!
Hmm…looks like “Nigel” has a good memory. Would he also care to remind us of the £72 billion of public spending cuts that Labour’s Alistair Darling announced last November? Oh! Maybe a memory lapse on that one….
How is pouring £60m down the toilet going to make Britain (a) more prosperous (b) fairer? This is simply green bling – an utterly pointless gesture to environmentalists.
This SOUNDS great; The proof of the pudding is in the eating and if it actually comes to fruition will be a tasty high energy meal. However, not so long ago he announced that in 3 years time there would be 250,00 workers trained to insulate the 26,000,000 houses in Britain needing insulation, Since 1 man can insulate a home in half a day this would have provided employment in Jan and Feb, but then what? Retrain as windmill operatives? I hope it is better thought through than that.
The pledged £60 M into new port sites for the generation of renewable energy with new potential low cabon jobs is to be commended but there must be still deeper investment. into `Green Technology’.
The £800M into renewable heat and importantly lower winter heating bill costs for pensioners will all help stimulate Climate Change Britain under Chris Huhne` s L/D Energy leadership policies.
I would caution that special care should be taken in the event of a low temperatures in a protracted `cold snap’ over this Winter, as the welfare and warmth for all pensioners and over 80 year olds especially, those living alone must be planned in advance. This is where the proposed lower heating costs for older families is vitally important.
The signing up of Siemens GE and Gamsea as international purveyors of new renewable energy technology expertise is welcome news to all those seeking to lift the bar on the amount of renewable energy currently being produced.
How does increasing electricity prices by 40% for business customers ( figure from Dept Energy) make country more prosperous?
I broadly welcome this. It’s a necessary step towards developing a green
industrial base instead of leaving it to the Scandinavians and the USA.
But the energy debate must continue. Wind power is bitterly dividing
communities everywhere. People who have no access to PV and other
measures are paying for the people who do-usually bettter off as well.