UK Labour party outlines plans for increased wind, solar deployment

The Labour party in the UK has set out plans to increase deployment of wind and solar power, with leader Jeremy Corbyn saying that the party would kick-start a green jobs revolution.

Speaking at the opposition party's conference this week in Liverpool, shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said that experts have looked at Labour's pledge to provide 60% of the UK's energy demand in electricity and heating from renewable or low-carbon sources by 2030 and have concluded that it is possible. The proposals include a seven-fold increase in offshore wind power to 52 GW, doubling onshore wind power and almost tripling solar power.

In his speech at the conference, Corbyn said that the party's programme to achieve a 60% reduction in emissions by 2030 will create more than 400,000 jobs.

A Labour government would also target net zero emissions by 2050.

Commenting on the plans, RenewableUK's executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: "Labour is right to recognise that wind and renewables should be at the heart of a smart, low carbon energy system. Onshore wind is the lowest cost option for new power in the UK but is currently prevented from competing in the market, which means consumers will miss out on cheap electricity and billions of pounds of new investment across the UK being lost."

The Solar Trade Association’s (STA) advocacy director Leonie Greene said: "Whatever your politics, the economic facts on the ground are that an energy system driven by expanding wind and solar now offers the lowest cost pathway."

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