Gavin backs £1 solar energy rescue plan for Renfrewshire
Gavin Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has backed an emergency rescue plan for British solar being put forward as a solution to the current crisis surrounding proposed 87 per cent to Feed-in Tariff for solar by the UK Government.
The Renfrewshire MP met solar industry representatives during a solar action day outside the House of Commons to promote the £1 plan, as a growing number of voices are calling on the UK Government to reconsider their plans.
In Renfrewshire it is estimated that 30 people are employed in the solar industry and that 24 jobs could be at risk – with thousands of jobs at risk across Scotland and throughout the UK.
The Solar Trade Association’s ‘£1 Solar Rescue Plan’ proposal has been designed to work for both the UK Government and solar businesses, allowing the industry to survive whilst giving the government the cost control guarantees that they claim that they need.
Gavin Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“The cuts put forward by the UK Government are too much, too fast and too soon. Instead, the UK Government should consider this alternative plan, as championed by the Solar Trade Association, so that people in Renfrewshire and across Scotland can continue to benefit from clean, green energy of the future.”
Leonie Greene, Head of External Affairs at the Solar Trade Association, said:
“Cutting support for solar by up to 87 per cent is a false economy for consumers and UK plc. It will decimate the British solar industry, waste huge public support to date and leave the UK behind the international tide of technology change.”
