UK Government delivers its Autumn Statement and response to the Electricity Network Commissioner's report
The UK Government today delivered its Autumn Statement and its response to the Electricity Network Commissioner's report.
Responding, Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:
"The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement has been trailed for many months now as the Government’s response to the increasing international competition which is pulling clean energy investment away from the UK projects we need to secure our energy supply, cut consumer bills and reduce the carbon emissions which are causing climate change.
"The measures announced, particularly that capital full expensing will be made permanent and the introduction of an investment allowance in the Electricity Generation Levy, are not enough on their own. We urgently need consistent policies to provide an environment which will enable businesses to invest at the scale needed right now.
"We’re pleased the UK Government has recognised that it needs to significantly improve the time it takes renewable energy projects to connect to the electricity network, and anything that helps to expedite that process is welcome.
"While today’s announcements, made in response to the Electricity Network Commissioner’s report in August, such as measures to cut grid access delays by 90%, are positive and welcome, they must be supported by reform in the electricity system operator and network companies.
"We are interested to read the detail of today’s announcements, including how the Scottish Government will pass through the various fiscal measures and further expedite the build-out of the infrastructure we need to deliver the economic benefits of renewable energy projects across the UK."
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