The government Energy and Climate Change Committee has released a report outlining energy policy recommendations for the next government to pursue after the May General Election.   

MPs on the committee took advice from stakeholders to form a raft of policy recommendations, and looked at challenges that the next government will need to face in order to see that the UK fulfils its climate and energy commitments.

Though the recommendations were broadly welcomed by the renewables industry, Committee Chair Tim Yeo’s advice, delivered to MPs on Thursday, could cause a stir, as the Select Committee has backed controversial shale gas fracking.  

Mr Yeo urged the next government to “Stand its ground in the centre,” setting long-term targets to maintain stability and ensure clean energies are adopted, but also said government “Must face down the misguided campaigners who oppose any form of fracking and all onshore wind.”

He continued, “With the right policies in place, we can have a low-carbon… and much more secure energy system by 2030. [Government] must allow business to find the lowest cost low-carbon solutions.”

Commenting on the Energy and Climate Change Committee’s report, Renewable Energy Association's Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska said, “A stable regulatory framework which provides long-term certainty for investment is crucial to the development of renewable energy. This is why we join the Committee’s call for the next government to quickly clarify the future of the allocations for Contracts for Difference as a priority in the next parliament.
 
“We strongly support the Committee’s recognition that a cleaner, more affordable energy system could be in jeopardy unless government becomes more honest and transparent about the costs and benefits of moving towards low carbon generation.”