Mark Lazarowicz has called for the Government to show consistency and vision to support renewable energy technologies such as offshore wind or marine power. Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, the North and Leith Labour MP said both are currently lacking in its approach to the renewables industry.
After the debate, Mr Lazarowicz commented: “I am concerned at a lack of consistency and vision from the Government in its approach to green energy: it has the potential to create skilled jobs for the future, not least here in Edinburgh.
“Support for less established technologies like offshore wind and marine energy in the early stages is vital but they are forced to compete for limited funding. The Government must show the vision to make their potential a reality otherwise these industries will go elsewhere and jobs with them.”
Pelamis Marine Power based in Edinburgh recently went into administration as funding to develop its technology at commercial scale failed to materialise.
The North and Leith MP was speaking in a debate on the Government’s Contracts for Difference – the new form of public funding for renewable technologies which is replacing the Renewables Obligation.
However, the funding is limited and divided between established technologies like onshore wind and solar and less established ones such as offshore wind and marine power with more of that budget likely to go to offshore wind.
Under Contracts for Difference companies are guaranteed a price – known as the strike price for the energy they generate. If the market price falls below that the Government will top up the difference and if it is higher then the energy companies must pay the difference to the Government.
You can find his speech in full here.
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