Engineers warn on renewables policy impacts

Civil contractors have warned that the Government needs to adopt a sea-change in its approach to the renewables sector. They commented that otherwise the industry would “fall off a cliff” both costing employment opportunities but also growth. Scotland would suffer in particular.

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association has said that the UK government has a current approach that will result in the “near collapse of the ongoing work”. CECA has estimated that there is over £300m worth of civil engineering activity each year in the Scottish renewable energy sector.

CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner said: “CECA has long argued that the UK Government must commit to a long-term energy strategy based on a diverse energy mix that does not deter badly-needed investment to enable a safe and secure energy supply.” “The UK Government’s policy of removing support for the renewables sector is extremely disappointing, as the sector had been making substantial progress towards cost efficiency during the lifetime of this Parliament.” “Policy changes to date will lead to substantial job losses within the industry and its supply chains. If those skills are lost, the challenge of rapidly reskilling the sector will be extremely costly. We call on the UK Government to reassess its approach to the renewables sector, adopt an evidence-based approach to renewables policy, and recognise the role it must play in providing the diverse energy portfolio the country needs.”