Green growth real and happening in the East Midlands

Chris Huhne will today put the spotlight on the economic benefits to Britain of investing in green energy in the East Midlands.

This financial year renewable energy developers have announced plans in the East Midlands for £10m investment, with the potential to create over 100 jobs, as the region begins to realise its huge economic potential and produce clean, home grown energy.

Speaking at an annual conference of the renewables industry, Chris Huhne will today hail renewable energy sources like wind, wave and biomass as already delivering a “third industrial revolution” across the UK.

Huhne will cite progress in the last six months, where industry has announced plans to invest £1.7bn and create over 9,000 jobs “from the Western Isles to the Isle of Wight”.

The Energy Secretary will say:

“Renewable energy technologies will deliver a third industrial revolution. Its impact will be every bit as profound as the first two.

“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.

“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.

“Yes, climate change is a manmade disaster. Yes, the UK is only 2% of global carbon emissions. But if we grasp the opportunity now our businesses and economy can be much more than 2% of the solution.

“We are not going to save our economy by turning our back on renewable energy.

“It is this three party consensus that makes the UK such a good place to invest.

“So I can today assure you that this government has resolved that we will be the largest market in Europe for offshore wind.”

The East Midlands has great potential to benefit from the growth in green energy with two major renewables projects announced in the last six months including:

• Centrica: maintenance and operations base in Grimsby. Up to 100 jobs.
• Toyota: £10m investment in solar panels at Derbyshire plant

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Notes for editors

1. Chris Huhne's speech to Renewables UK annual conference

   2. The Government published its Renewable Energy Roadmap in July, setting out a clear commitment to renewable energy to 2020 and beyond.
   3. Last week the Government launched a consultation on support levels for renewable electricity technologies under the Renewables Obligation from 2013-17. Read the consultation

Source: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn11_087em/pn11_087em.aspx

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