The announcement this week that the UK Government is making further cuts in renewable energy subsidies will force hundreds of green energy companies out of business, leading to tens of thousands of job losses and scare away foreign investors, says the UN's Chief Environment Scientist, Professor Jacqueline McGlade. Dr McGlade said she was "shocked" by the announcement, which follows a consultation on how much money should be spent subsidising renewables over the next five years. The Solar Trade Association (STA) says 27,000 jobs are now at risk as the industry's 3,000 firms face cuts. Two solar panel companies, including the UK's largest installer, went into administration last week, losing 1,200 jobs, and two smaller firms have also gone the same way - all blaming the cuts. The industry also says the government is making it impossible to build new onshore wind farms - the UK's best hope of meeting environmental targets at the lowest possible cost - by ending subsidies for future projects. REA head of policy James Court said: “This represents the UK turning away from renewables, which is surprising given the extraordinary decline in costs and increases in technological efficiency that have been achieved over the past five years… The government, frustratingly, seems intent on tripping up the industry within sight of the finishing line.” Friends of the Earth's Alasdair Cameron says that "we are struggling to understand the government's approach to renewables when it is also seeking Chinese investment in nuclear power. It's the equivalent of throwing money at analogue instead of digital television".
The announcement this week that the UK Government is making further cuts in renewable energy subsidies will force hundreds of green energy companies out of business, leading to tens of thousands of job losses and scare away foreign investors, says the UN's Chief Environment Scientist, Professor Jacqueline McGlade. Dr McGlade said she was "shocked" by the announcement, which follows a consultation on how much money should be spent subsidising renewables over the next five years. The Solar Trade Association (STA) says 27,000 jobs are now at risk as the industry's 3,000 firms face cuts. Two solar panel companies, including the UK's largest installer, went into administration last week, losing 1,200 jobs, and two smaller firms have also gone the same way - all blaming the cuts. The industry also says the government is making it impossible to build new onshore wind farms - the UK's best hope of meeting environmental targets at the lowest possible cost - by ending subsidies for future projects. Friends of the Earth's Alasdair Cameron says that "we are struggling to understand the government's approach to renewables when it is also seeking Chinese investment in nuclear power. It's the equivalent of throwing money at analogue instead of digital television".