As concerns grow over the direction the Government is taking on the green economy, Chris Huhne will today tie his colours firmly to the renewables mast, unleashing a blistering attack on what he calls "short-termists" and "vested interests" who are "selling the UK economy short".
Speaking at the annual conference of the
renewables industry, the
Energy and Climate Change Secretary will launch an offensive on what he calls "
green economy deniers" and make the economic case for
renewable energy.
Huhne will attack what he calls "an unholy alliance of short-termists, armchair engineers, climate sceptics and vested interests who are selling the UK economy short".
And amidst reports of a widening split in Cabinet over the cost of green policies to UK growth, he will warn that "turning our back" on renewables "is not going to save our economy".
"I want to take aim at the curmudgeons and faultfinders who hold forth on the impossibility of renewables. The climate sceptics and armchair engineers who are selling Britain’s ingenuity short," Huhne will say.
"Yes, climate change is a manmade disaster. Yes, the UK is only two per cent of global carbon emissions. But if we grasp the opportunity now our businesses and economy can be much more than two per cent of the solution."
Industrial revolution
Describing renewable energy as having the potential to deliver a "third industrial revolution", Huhne will point to a commitment of £1.7 billion in investment and 9,000 jobs this year alone in the renewable energy sector.
"Renewable energy technologies will deliver a third industrial revolution. Its impact will be every bit as profound as the first two," he will say.
"The revolution has already begun, from the Western Isles to the Isle of Wight. Across the length and breadth of Britain, new companies are creating new jobs and delivering the technologies that will power our future.
"At a time when closures and cuts dominate the news cycle, next-generation industries are providing jobs and sinking capital into Britain."
Government u-turn
Through his speech, Huhne hopes to allay fears among investors and businesses in the renewables sector that the Government is turning its back on the sector because it is proving too costly at time of austerity.
Within the Cabinet, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is among those who believe
green policies and regulations are putting UK growth at risk.
Last week, the Government slashed renewable subsidies, and is imminently expected to announce cuts to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT).
Like this story? Please subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter at the top of the page for more content like this.
Related content:
