Prospect lays out industrial strategy plan to help decarbonise the grid 

Prospect has published a new report setting out how industrial strategy can help the government decarbonise our power supply by 2030 and achieve our net zero goals. The report Energising a green industrial strategy looks at the factors necessary to successfully achieve our goals in this area taking in policy clarity, finance, skills and governance. 

Prospect launched the document at a round table in Parliament hosted by Josh MacAlister MP,  with discussions between Industry Minister Sarah Jones MP, Prospect’s Senior Deputy General Secretary Sue Ferns, industry figures and specialist Prospect reps. 

The paper says that on policy: 

• The challenge is one of national mobilisation – this will require a concerted effort led by government, but in partnership with the private sector and stakeholders at all levels. 
• The focus is rightly on decarbonising energy by 2030 but that dedication must be carried over to achieve net zero by 2050 

On finance: 

• The role of the Treasury will be crucial and requires a change in mindset. 
• Low carbon technologies at earlier stages of development will inevitably require greater support in their pathways to maturity. 

On skills: 

• Labour’s intended more flexible approach on use of the apprenticeship levy is welcome but must extend beyond a demand-led model to one in which Skills England and equivalent bodies generate a much higher throughput of skilled workers ready to deploy as opportunities arise. 

On governance: 

• Labour’s mission-led approach to government means that clarity over institutional relationships will become even more important especially as Great British Energy (GBE) will sit in an increasingly complex landscape of public bodies. 
• One option would be to use a strategy and policy statement to clarify the roles and responsibilities of these different organisations in delivering net zero, and to reform and strengthen them where appropriate. 
• It is essential to involve workers, their unions, and communities in developing and delivering local and regional energy plans.

Prospect reps Vivienne and Jacob joined us for the report launch to discuss the challenges facing the energy sector.

You can read more about the report here: https://t.co/sEt66QgJvt pic.twitter.com/aaKd8QgKdr

— Prospect Union (@ProspectUnion) September 4, 2024

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said:  

“Decarbonising our energy supply by 2030 is a huge challenge, matched only by the wider goal of achieving net zero by 2050.  

“To get where we need to go will take a whole economy approach, and an industrial strategy specifically tailored to the problems at hand.  

“The new government has made a good start with the creation of GB Energy and the latest CfD auction but there is no room for pause. Top of the priority list for progress must a final investment decision for Sizewell C and significant progress on carbon capture and storage.  

“Working together with business, communities and unions the government can deliver on its environmental goals while driving growth and creating a new generation of good secure jobs.”