Will New Political Leadership in Humber Threaten Renewable Energy Growth?

Representatives from the Humber’s renewable energy sector are appealing to the newly elected mayors, Dame Andrea Jenkyns and Luke Campbell, urging them to engage with the industry to ensure its sustainability and growth. There are growing concerns that the political stances of both mayors, who are affiliated with Reform UK, may jeopardize jobs and hinder the development of the renewable energy sector in the region.

Hannah Damary-Wilson, a representative from Specialist Wind Services in Grimsby, expressed fears that the local economy could suffer if support from city leadership is lost. Campbell’s comments during a BBC debate reflect a mixed approach; although he recognizes the importance of job creation associated with renewable energy, he expressed skepticism about the net zero target. His party’s platform includes a strong opposition to net zero policies and calls for a scrap of tax incentives on renewables, which raises alarms among local industry advocates.

David Laister, from Humber Marine and Renewables, highlighted the urgency for the mayors to listen to the renewable sector and understand its critical role in the area’s economy. He emphasized that the past two decades have seen a significant expansion in renewable energy, especially around the Humber estuary, which includes facilities like the Siemens Gamesa wind turbine blade factory in Hull, employing over 1,600 people.

As the UK government pushes to meet its net zero emissions target by 2050, the Humber region’s future in renewable energy hinges on political support for the industry. Jenkyns’ derogatory remarks about carbon neutrality, calling it ’net zero madness,’ further underscore the division between local political sentiments and the renewable industry’s trajectory. Industry leaders are calling for dialogue and understanding to ensure that the gains made over the past two decades are not lost or compromised by policy shifts.