According to a report by the Renewable Energy Association (REA), there are growing concerns that government policies may slow growth in the renewable energy sector.
In 2015 the industry employed an estimated 117,000 people and supplied the UK with 22.3% of its power, 4.6% of its heat and 3.2% of its transport fuels.
However repeated policy intervention may cause the UK to miss its 2020 targets for renewable energy.
Chief Executive of the REA, Dr. Nina Skorupska CBE commented: ''2015 was another record year for British renewables. Employment, investment, and deployment increased, while costs fell and the industry continued to mature. It was yet another year where the renewables industry outperformed UK growth rates. The industry was blindsided this year with over a dozen sudden and severe policy changes, which we expect will be reflected in next year’s report. While many businesses have been left reeling and deployment has begun to slow, as an industry we will persevere, we will innovate, and we will continue to grow.''
The report adds that the likelihood of delivering the 2020 targets is impaired due to the closure of the renewable energy obligation to onshore wind and solar with other eligible technologies excluded from 2017.
