Commenting on Ministers today (Thursday 24 January) signing an agreement enabling the UK to import renewable energy from wind turbines in Ireland, Friends of the Earth’s Energy Campaigner Guy Shrubsole said:

“Linking up with Ireland to boost renewable energy will help the UK to cut its emissions, but we should be doing much more to harness our own huge wind resource – onshore and offshore – to create jobs and business opportunities in this country.

“The Government must act now to set a target to clean up our electricity by 2030. This will give firms the confidence they need to invest in the UK’s green economy and export valuable, world-leading expertise.”

ENDS

1.    Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign, backed by TV Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to listen to the public and transform our broken energy system by developing clean and affordable power from our wind, sun and water. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal – causing our fuel bills to rocket. Now 85 per cent of people want the Government to back UK renewable power instead. This, and cutting energy waste, will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs.