Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Labour Party, has said that the green energy transition will be at the heart of the UK’s economy if Labour were to win the next election. That commitment has received high praise from the Electrical Contractors Association.
The Conservative Party has been in Government for 13 years, with the party having a mixed record when it comes to sustainability. While it helped the UK become the first major economy in the world to set a legally binding target for net zero, the party in recent years has been dogged with claims of a takeover by NIMBYs – with it effectively banning onshore wind and solar farms.
Labour meanwhile want to supercharge the UK’s economy through an aggressive program of building – whether it be through unlocking the green belt for housing or ensuring more clean energy sources can be built without a long delay.
Starmer set out Labour’s vision as part of the Green Prosperity Plan, which he laid out in detail during a visit to Scotland earlier this week. The key details of the plan are as follows:
- Upgrade 19 million homes to help them be more energy-efficient
- Achieve net zero by 2030
- Launch a new publicly-owned clean energy company, dubbed GB Energy
- Offer £500 million a year to the low-carbon sector, with the proviso that they offer high-quality jobs to those in the UK
- Local councils will be instructed to proactively identify areas for renewable generation
While the plan is certainly ambitious, it rests on having a competent workforce that can achieve its aims. The UK is currently facing a shortage of electrical engineers, which will need to be resolved sooner rather than later.
The Electrical Contractors Association echoes that sentiment. While it has welcomed the Green Prosperity Plan, it has cautioned that a skilled workforce will be more essential than ever.
Luke Osborne, ECA Energy Solutions Advisor, noted, “I am delighted to see Labour’s plans to place the clean energy transition at the heart of Britain’s economy, but all parties must be reminded that these plans will not be achieved without a skilled and competent electrotechnical workforce at their core.
“Clean energy plans from both the current government and the opposition have promised cheaper bills, more jobs and secure energy sources, but our members – electrical contractors and engineering services professionals – need support to safely install new infrastructure and connect Britain’s homes and businesses to a cleaner grid.
“Without strong investment in the electrotechnical sector and its workforce, the opposition’s plans to lead a clean energy revolution risks quickly losing its credibility.”
To help the sector capitalise on the opportunities offered by Net Zero, the ECA is launching a series of in-person seminars, called the #ProjectNetZero Roadshow, across the UK this autumn.
The association has invited speakers from across the political spectrum to attend the roadshows and see first-hand the importance of the electrotechnical sector to delivering a viable Net Zero future.