Latest news with #GBEnergy
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'Great British Energy solar panels' for schools were made in China
The first schools in England to install what the government described as "Great British Energy solar panels" were made in China, the BBC has first 11 schools involved in the GB Energy scheme bought solar panels from Aiko and Longi, two Chinese government said the scheme was "the first major project for Great British Energy - a company owned by the British people, for the British people".Labour MP Sarah Champion said GB Energy should be buying solar panels from companies in the UK rather than China, where there have been allegations of forced labour in supply chains. "I'm really excited about the principle of GB Energy," she told BBC News. "But it's taxpayers' money and we should not be supporting slave labour with that money. And wherever possible, we should be supporting good working practices and buy British if we can."She added: "That means that yes, unfortunately, in the short term, solar panels are probably going to be slightly more expensive."There are solar panels made around the world in Taiwan, Canada, even in the UK."Longi and Aiko both told the BBC they forbid forced labour in their production and supply is the world's leading producer of solar panels and the suppliers in the Xinjiang region have been linked to the alleged exploitation of Uyghur this year, the law was changed to ban GB Energy from investing in renewables if there is evidence of modern slavery in their has dominated the market and, according to the International Energy Agency, the country's global share in all the manufacturing stages of solar panels exceeds 80%.Champion, who is chair of the International Development Select Committee, said "abuse in renewable supply chains is insidious and hard to root out".But she urged ministers to exclude known human-rights offenders from winning public contracts.A GB Energy spokesperson said all of the solar contracts issued under the schools initiative complied with the UK's modern slavery rules. The Xinjiang challenge Up to 50% of the world's supply of polysilicon - a key component in solar panels - is estimated to come from the Xinjiang Candlish is the director of GB-Sol, which calls itself the only manufacturer of conventional solar panels in the said polysilicon was "a key social issue facing our industry, with the risk of forced labour in the main mining areas".He added: "The global solar market is so dominated by China that it is difficult to avoid buying Chinese if you want the low cost energy and low carbon benefits of solar PV."Many businesses and governments - including the UK's - buy Chinese solar panels because they are cheaper than those made thirds (68%) of the solar panels imported by the UK came from China in 2024, according to HMRC trade data. That's an increase on the figure in 2023, when Chinese products accounted for 61% of UK solar imports.A report by Sheffield Hallam University in 2023 linked various solar companies to suppliers in the Xinjiang of the report's authors, Alan Crawford, said the general lack of transparency in the entire solar supply chain was greater now than it was in 2023, when his Over-Exposed report was published."Companies that were willing to comment are now silent," he said. 'Ethical supply chains' GB Energy is a state-owned company that was set up by the Labour government to invest in renewables, such as solar its first big investment, GB Energy is spending about £200m on rooftop solar for 200 schools and NHS hospitals across the first tranche of this funding has been spent on the Chinese solar panels for the 11 Department for Education told the BBC which companies had made the solar panels in response to a freedom of information request.A GB Energy spokesperson said the company would "lead the way in ethical supply chains" and insisted there was "no place for forced labour or unethical practices in the UK's energy transition".The spokesperson added: "That is why we are introducing a statutory duty on Great British Energy to prevent modern slavery in its supply chains, and reviewing supplier transparency and disclosure standards to ensure confidence in all public-facing renewable programmes."All contracts issued under this schools and hospitals solar initiative complied with UK procurement rules, including extensive requirements under the Modern Slavery Act."GBE will seek to uphold these requirements in its contracting arrangements and are actively engaging with international partners to raise the bar globally on solar supply chain accountability." China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity against the Uyghur population and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups in the north-western region of state-sponsored programmes, detainees are forced to produce goods including polysilicon, a core ingredient in solar panels, according to the US Department of Chinese government has denied all allegations of human rights abuses in and Aiko are both members of the Solar Stewardship Initiative, which is a scheme designed to develop confidence in the supply chain and the responsible sourcing of solar Aiko spokesperson said the company was "committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical business conduct and responsible sourcing"."We take any concerns related to human rights and labour practices seriously and expect our suppliers to do the same," the spokesperson said."As part of our ongoing efforts, we engage with suppliers to promote transparency and continuous improvement in line with international guidelines. We are also closely monitoring global supply chain developments and remain committed to working with stakeholders to support a fair and sustainable solar industry."Longi said it regretted the findings of the Sheffield Hallam University report and "categorically affirms that forced labour has no place within our supply chain".A company spokesperson said the conclusions in the Over-Exposed report "may not fully reflect the comprehensive measures Longi has implemented to ensure full compliance with international labour standards"."Independent third-party audits play a critical role in verifying compliance and identifying potential risks," the spokesperson said."While the complexity of global supply chains presents challenges, Longi remains steadfast in its efforts to eliminate any risks associated with forced labour."
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Fire stations, care homes and libraries get share of £10m for clean energy
Publicly-owned Great British Energy has awarded grant funding for mayoral authorities to install solar panels on public buildings, as well as batteries to store and use renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, in a bid to save communities money, improve services, and cut emissions. The funding comes alongside GB Energy's push to deliver clean energy projects for around 200 schools and hospitals with £180 million funding. The Government said the grants range from rooftop solar on Merseyside care homes and leisure centres to solar and batteries for libraries, fire stations, police stations and sports centres – as well as EV chargers – in Greater Manchester. Funding is also going towards solar schemes including police headquarters in Cambridgeshire, an outdoor covered market in Yorkshire and a former colliery in the East Midlands. In West Yorkshire, Leeds City Council's Arium plant nursery and Lotherton Hall estate will be among those benefiting from clean energy funding. Officials estimate the schemes could produce around £1 million a year in savings, and £35 million lifetime savings, on energy bills, as well as improve energy security and create good jobs. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government's publicly-owned clean energy company. 'Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities.' Great British Energy chief executive Dan McGrail said: 'Today's support for new clean power projects in every region in England shows our mission in action – providing a lasting positive impact for the country by creating new jobs, lower bills, and a cleaner future. 'It's important that communities feel the benefits of the energy transition and that we demonstrate the very real benefits it can bring,' he said.
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Fire stations, care homes and libraries get share of £10m for clean energy
Publicly-owned Great British Energy has awarded grant funding for mayoral authorities to install solar panels on public buildings, as well as batteries to store and use renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, in a bid to save communities money, improve services, and cut emissions. The funding comes alongside GB Energy's push to deliver clean energy projects for around 200 schools and hospitals with £180 million funding. The Government said the grants range from rooftop solar on Merseyside care homes and leisure centres to solar and batteries for libraries, fire stations, police stations and sports centres – as well as EV chargers – in Greater Manchester. Funding is also going towards solar schemes including police headquarters in Cambridgeshire, an outdoor covered market in Yorkshire and a former colliery in the East Midlands. In West Yorkshire, Leeds City Council's Arium plant nursery and Lotherton Hall estate will be among those benefiting from clean energy funding. Officials estimate the schemes could produce around £1 million a year in savings, and £35 million lifetime savings, on energy bills, as well as improve energy security and create good jobs. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government's publicly-owned clean energy company. 'Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities.' Great British Energy chief executive Dan McGrail said: 'Today's support for new clean power projects in every region in England shows our mission in action – providing a lasting positive impact for the country by creating new jobs, lower bills, and a cleaner future. 'It's important that communities feel the benefits of the energy transition and that we demonstrate the very real benefits it can bring,' he said.
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Fire stations, care homes and libraries get share of £10m for clean energy
Publicly-owned Great British Energy has awarded grant funding for mayoral authorities to install solar panels on public buildings, as well as batteries to store and use renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, in a bid to save communities money, improve services, and cut emissions. The funding comes alongside GB Energy's push to deliver clean energy projects for around 200 schools and hospitals with £180 million funding. The Government said the grants range from rooftop solar on Merseyside care homes and leisure centres to solar and batteries for libraries, fire stations, police stations and sports centres – as well as EV chargers – in Greater Manchester. Funding is also going towards solar schemes including police headquarters in Cambridgeshire, an outdoor covered market in Yorkshire and a former colliery in the East Midlands. In West Yorkshire, Leeds City Council's Arium plant nursery and Lotherton Hall estate will be among those benefiting from clean energy funding. Officials estimate the schemes could produce around £1 million a year in savings, and £35 million lifetime savings, on energy bills, as well as improve energy security and create good jobs. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government's publicly-owned clean energy company. 'Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities.' Great British Energy chief executive Dan McGrail said: 'Today's support for new clean power projects in every region in England shows our mission in action – providing a lasting positive impact for the country by creating new jobs, lower bills, and a cleaner future. 'It's important that communities feel the benefits of the energy transition and that we demonstrate the very real benefits it can bring,' he said.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Fire stations, care homes and libraries get share of £10m for clean energy
Publicly-owned Great British Energy has awarded grant funding for mayoral authorities to install solar panels on public buildings, as well as batteries to store and use renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, in a bid to save communities money, improve services, and cut emissions. The funding comes alongside GB Energy's push to deliver clean energy projects for around 200 schools and hospitals with £180 million funding. The Government said the grants range from rooftop solar on Merseyside care homes and leisure centres to solar and batteries for libraries, fire stations, police stations and sports centres – as well as EV chargers – in Greater Manchester. Funding is also going towards solar schemes including police headquarters in Cambridgeshire, an outdoor covered market in Yorkshire and a former colliery in the East Midlands. In West Yorkshire, Leeds City Council's Arium plant nursery and Lotherton Hall estate will be among those benefiting from clean energy funding. Officials estimate the schemes could produce around £1 million a year in savings, and £35 million lifetime savings, on energy bills, as well as improve energy security and create good jobs. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government's publicly-owned clean energy company. 'Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities.' Great British Energy chief executive Dan McGrail said: 'Today's support for new clean power projects in every region in England shows our mission in action – providing a lasting positive impact for the country by creating new jobs, lower bills, and a cleaner future. 'It's important that communities feel the benefits of the energy transition and that we demonstrate the very real benefits it can bring,' he said.
