A senior industry leader has warned that clean energy development in the UK is at risk of being derailed by the political upheaval engulfing the country.
Niall Stuart, chief executive of industry body Scottish Renewables, told delegates at the group’s onshore wind conference in Glasgow that Brexit threw up many questions for the sector and added to the “huge uncertainty” that already existed.
However, he said the green energy sector could not afford to standstill while the political machinations of the EU exit vote played out.
Mr Stuart said the industry had to push to ensure ministers at Westminster stuck to the summer timetable for a final decision on support for renewable energy projects on the Scottish islands.
He said “common sense” needed to prevail on support for onshore wind and solar and called for an early statement from the new Prime Minister in support of tackling climate change.
Mr Stuart said the Scottish Government also had a significant role to play during such uncertain times.
“The growth of renewable energy over recent years has been an amazing success,” he said.
“Driven largely by the growth of onshore wind, the sector now produces more power than any other form of electricity, supports 21,000 jobs and delivers hundreds of millions of pounds of investment each year.
“However, confidence amongst most of our members is incredibly fragile right now, and we need clear leadership at Westminster and Holyrood if we are to deliver further growth.”
The warning came as legal firm Pinsent Masons said Brexit could deliver a double boost to the renewables sector.
It said the move could help cut over-regulation that “stifles” new wind arrays and the removal of state aid rules could encourage greater manufacturing.
Partner Jennifer Ballantyne said: “There is good and bad for the renewables industry in terms of the UK’s current relationship with the EU.”
