SCI Director speaking at Labour Conference Fringe Event

Mat Paterson was a panellist at Policy@Manchester’s fringe event ‘Energy Security: Will Accelerating Renewables Tackle the Cost of Living?’ at The Labour Party Conference 2022.

He spoke alongside Emelia Quist (Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)), Asif Rehmanwala (Ecotricity), Adam Scorer (National Energy Action (NEA)) and Labour MP Alan Whitehead (Shadow Energy Minister) about whether renewables can help alleviate the cost of living crisis’. The event was chaired by Nina Skorupska (Renewable Energy Association).

The panel explored the impact of renewables on our energy security and what measures can be taken to help the immediate challenge for households and businesses facing rising bills.

Key points:

1) The single most important thing in the short term is energy efficiency in buildings said Professor Mat Paterson.

2) Alan Whitehead MP pointed out onshore wind is now 9 times cheaper to produce electricity from than gas. Renewables are not an expensive luxury. A wholly renewable electricity system by 2030 is possible and in terms of cost of living this can make a real contribution in the medium to long term.

3) Asif Rehmanwala pointed out if we reduce the proportion of gas in our energy mix we can substantially bring down prices in the long term. We can change the market mechanism for short term effect and accelerating renewables brings long term difference.

Further panels are planned inside and outside the secure zone at Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham on 3rd and 4th October.

For more information, please see Policy@Manchester's website.