GB Energy’s key functions demonstrate welcome ambition and a clear focus on delivery

Reacting to the new details regarding GB Energy’s role announced today, Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director at the Aldersgate Group, said: “This partnership, and the confirmation of GB Energy’s five key functions, demonstrate a welcome level of ambition from the government and a clear focus on delivery. The Climate Change Committee’s latest progress report made it abundantly clear that the UK must move faster to cut emissions, so we are pleased to see this forward-looking and collaborative approach. Delivering net zero and achieving the government’s mission to create growth across the country are intrinsically linked, and these five core functions present a significant opportunity to maximise the potential of the UK’s low-carbon energy sector.

Rachel added: “As we saw from the challenges faced in recent CfD renewables auctions, creating an environment that enables private sector investment in the net zero transition is vital as international competition significantly increases. GB Energy’s role in project investment can help to unlock significant amounts of capital that will drive job creation and cut emissions. It’s also crucial to maximise the potential to lower bills for people across the country and local power plans could be an important element of this process. It’s particularly welcome to see a focus on building the UK’s supply chains as we decarbonise, an area that has lacked focus in recent years. The right approach on this can maximise the jobs created in the UK as we deliver net zero and create a robust set of thriving industries that we can rely on into the future.”