The UK currently has more offshore wind power than anyone else, and has already crossed the 3GW installed capacity threshold. That’s already enough to power over 2.5 million homes. We looked online to see what people are saying recently about the UK’s leadership position…
“The race is now on to lead the world in clean, green energy. As an island nation, and with our weather, the UK is ideally placed to make the most of offshore wind energy – you could say it was a technology designed for us. This (new industrial, Ed.) strategy will help keep Britain as the world leader in one of the most important industries of the 21st Century.”
UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
“The UK is the most attractive country in the world for offshore wind investment, and the fifth most attractive for renewable energy more generally.”
Ernst & Young’s latest Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices (RECAI)
“…we must maintain momentum to reach our full potential, with wind playing an increasingly significant role in our energy mix, thereby reducing our dependence on expensive and environmentally-damaging fossil fuels.”
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, Maria McCaffery
“…the opening of the London Array took the UK’s installed offshore wind capacity to over 3GW, equating to 60% of Europe’s offshore wind capacity and confirming the UK’s hard earned position as world leader… Interestingly, the Government, like the bulk of developers, now appears less positive over the amount of capacity that can be built by 2020 and reduced its projection down from an upper level of 18GW to 16GW.”
Phil de Villiers, Head of Offshore Wind at the Carbon Trust
Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon:
“Britain has a real chance to lead the world in the offshore wind sector, not least because of our weather. I am determined that government and industry should work together and make sure the UK makes the most of the opportunity for growth and jobs that this sector presents, as well as a vital contribution to our energy mix.”
“Aggressive plans for future growth…are certain to keep the U.K. in the lead, provided they harness the necessary manufacturing and wind farm development muscle, and overcome other challenges. Competition for developer interest, manufacturing and supply chain capacity constraints, exchange rate issues, and planning delays are barriers to meeting their growth projections.”
John Colm, President & Executive Director, WIRE-Net
“The UK renewable energy market has been hit by mixed and inconsistent messages by policy makers. While investors are looking for ways to invest in renewables to secure future supply and predictably priced energy, political limbo has left them very cautious before committing further capital into the UK renewable energy sector.”
Ben Warren, Ernst & Young’s Energy and Environment Partner
“Investor confidence has lapsed due to Government indecision over the level of support for offshore wind. Businesses and investors do not have much visibility. It’s hard to make anything happen until the investment situation becomes clear. Investors are risk averse.”
Alex Dawson, Chairman, Energi Coast
“The UK continues to lead the world in offshore wind, and we need to use this position to leverage as much global investment as possible to secure jobs across the supply chain, and see infrastructure upgraded to support this industry.”
Keith Anderson, CCO of ScottishPower
“Not only is (UK Deputy Prime Minister) Nick Clegg mad, he is also about 18 months out of date – no one is interested in wind power anymore…Pumping more money into it is just madness, they’re completely useless.”
Euro MP Roger Helmer
“This is a race in which the UK must compete and win. The economic benefits alone – 88,000 jobs in the wind, wave and tidal sectors by 2021 – are a once in generation opportunity to create a successful, manufacturing-based, exporting industry that can regenerate areas of economic decline.”
Maf Smith, Deputy Chief Executive, RenewableUK
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