Humber renewables leaders urge Reform UK mayors to back industry
Representatives of the Humber's renewable energy industry have issued a plea to the region's new mayors to "come and talk to us and understand us". There is concern the political views of Dame Andrea Jenkyns and Luke Campbell could put jobs and the industry at risk. Both mayors, who represent Reform UK, have criticised the government's policies on renewable energy and its target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Hannah Damary-Wilson from Specialist Wind Services in Grimsby said it would be a "travesty" if the town's "thriving industry" was not supported by its mayor, while David Laister of Humber Marine and Renewables said it was "vital" the mayors engaged with the sector.
Ms Damary-Wilson said she was concerned local jobs and opportunities could be lost. "When our mayor Andrea Jenkyns bandies about slogans like 'net zero madness', it's important to remember that it isn't just about hitting net zero policies, it's about developing energy independence."Ms Damary-Wilson said the economic fortunes of the region were heavily dependent on renewable energy."It's about providing skilled opportunities to a community that has, by and large, been abandoned," she said.
In the last 20 years, the renewable energy industry has seen significant expansion around the Humber estuary. The Siemens Gamesa wind turbine blade factory in Hull now employs more than 1,600 people. Grimsby specialises in support services for offshore industries and is the main port serving the world's largest offshore wind farm. The UK's offshore wind industries have benefited from government net zero funding as it tries to reduce carbon emissions and create green jobs, most recently £300m from Great British Energy.
In a BBC debate prior to being elected, Campbell, the mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said he felt "half and half" when it came to supporting net zero and the renewable energy sector. "I don't think net zero is achievable but listen, forget party politics, if it's creating jobs in this region, I'll put our people first," he said. However, Campbell's Reform UK party takes a tougher stance and wants to scrap net zero policies and tax renewable energyDame Andrea, the Greater Lincolnshire mayor, has described the government's approach to renewable energy as "nut zero" and said she would drive forward plans for fracking in the county. She said she "absolutely" supported Reform UK's plans for a windfall tax on renewables and would be "shining a light of scrutiny" on the Humber's renewable industry.
Industries connected to the government's net zero ambitions are continuing to see government funding and private sector investment.However, Mr Laister called for the two new mayors to engage with the sector. "I would urge them to listen and to talk and to understand the various elements of the wider renewables industry," he said. "All that's been developed in the last 20 years, we don't want to see that lost or stalled."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
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