New energy minister: 'No change in direction or ambition'

Published by Julien Tremblin for 24dash.com in Environment and also in Central Government, Housing

During his first assignment, newly-appointed Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey has reaffirmed his commitment to fulfil his predecessor’s engagements.

Mr Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton was appointed following the resignation of Chris Huhne who has been charged with perverting the court of justice in a speeding case.

While visiting a testing site for Green Homes near Watford today, he said: “There may have been a change at the helm, but there'll be no change in direction or ambition.

“My priorities are very simple: green jobs, green growth and getting the best deal for energy bill payers."

In a statement on Friday, he added: “I’ve now got to take up the challenges - the challenge of climate change, the challenge of energy security.

“I’m determined to work to follow on Chris’s priorities, the Coalition’s priorities and to make them my priorities.

“My department is already implementing bold and ambitious reforms - like electricity market reform and the Green Deal - to unlock private investment, drive innovation and build a resilient, green, competitive economy. It's now my job to see those through.”

The Green Deal is expected to roll-out £14 billion in home energy improvements over the next decade and is meant to come into force from October 2012.

Talking today, Mr Davey and Deputy Minister Nick Clegg also announced the Coalition Government’s wish “to marry the UK’s economic and environmental agenda”.

New announcements include £5.1m-worth of community energy efficiency grants to fund 155 projects. The winning bids include projects to demonstrate wall insulation to the public, schemes to check the energy efficiency of homes and events to promote energy efficiency in local communities.

They have also supported the offshore wind industry in their pledge to see more than 50% of supply chain content come from UK firms.

Mr Clegg said: “The race is on to lead the world in clean, green energy. Last year we saw record-breaking global investment in renewables - outstripping the cash piled into fossil fuels. The new economic powerhouses - China, India, Korea, Brazil - are now serious contenders for that capital.

“So the choice for the UK is simple: wake up, or end up playing catch up. In today’s world the savviest states understand that going for growth means going green. Low-carbon markets are the next frontier in the battle for global pre-eminence.”

Image copyright: Crown