South West announces first renewable energy manifesto

Regen SW has today written to all MPs in the South West, inviting them to pledge to develop a world-leading renewable energy industry - employing 34,000 people by the end of the decade. The pledge is at the heart of the South West Renewable Energy Manifesto, which sets out eight key commitments to put sustainable energy at the heart of our economic future.

The Manifesto is supported by Local Enterprise Partnerships from the West of England, Cornwall and the Isles of Scily, Dorset, and the Heart of South West 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 4 June.

Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen SW, said: “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.”

Regen’s research shows a rapid growth in renewable energy generation over the past 12 months, but, despite this, the region is not on track to hit current government renewable energy targets of 15 per cent by 2020. The Manifesto sets out an ambitious target to drive forward this industry and deliver high-value jobs through eight specific commitments including supporting:

• A consistent regulatory framework to incentivise long-term investment in renewables;
• Investment in the national and local grid, and to roll out new ‘smart’ technology;
• Putting communities at the heart of new energy developments.

“The South West played a leading role in the industrial revolution,” added Merlin. “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.”

The full South West Renewable Energy Manifesto document can be viewed online at http://goo.gl/57WwL