SSE has contributed to industry trade body Energy UK’s series of thought-leader essays celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Climate Change Act.
Martin Pibworth, Wholesale Managing Director, joined energy minister Claire Perry, Lord Debden of the Committee on Climate Change, and eminent scientific advisor Sir David King, alongside other leading power and environmental industry figures to contribute perspectives on the Climate Change Act’s influence in transforming the power sector. They also look at the challenges that lie ahead both for the UK and the rest of the world.
In ‘Energy and our Environment’, Martin reflects on the huge contribution the power sector has made in helping the UK’s carbon emissions fall to a level last seen in 1890. SSE advocated hard, alongside the Climate Coalition, in favour of tough legislation in the Climate Change Act to help deliver the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy.
Martin reflects on the stand SSE took at the time, committing to halve the carbon intensity of the electricity it generated in 2006 – one of the first energy firms to do so. Since then, SSE has invested heavily to deliver the vital, cleaner and greener infrastructure the UK energy system needed.
Martin said: “Since the Act around £11bn has been invested in renewable generation and supporting infrastructure to help meet that ambitious carbon target with projects built all over the UK, from the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm off the coast of Suffolk to the Slieve Kirk wind park in Northern Ireland. These investments – and many others – enabled SSE to reach its own ambitious carbon emission target two years early.
“Now, having played our part in helping the UK meet its first two carbon budgets, we are determined to up the ante and go further, setting out a new ambition for a further 50% reduction in carbon intensity from today’s levels to around 150g/kWh by 2030.
“The UK took bold steps 10 years ago to deliver the Climate Change Act. Bold and decisive action will be needed again if we are to truly create a low carbon world.”
As part of that bold action yesterday, Alistair Phillips-Davies, SSE Chief Executive, also joined leading energy organisations to call for a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May Alistair said: “Warm words aren’t enough. It’s deeds that matter. Our decision to refocus SSE on energy networks and renewable energy is based on the fact that it’s these businesses that will help enable the transition to a decarbonised electricity system and so help combat climate change.
“Through investment and innovation in networks and renewable energy we can be proud of the contribution to decarbonisation that SSE has made so far. Today’s letter and study show much more work lies ahead, and we’re setting SSE up to show leadership in commitment to decarbonisation and action in helping to deliver it.”
The Energy and our Environment report was officially launched last night at an event at Parliament with Claire Perry, Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, Lord Deben, Chair of the CCC, and Lawrence Slade Energy UK’s Chief Executive among the guests.