Boris Johnson has said he is “very concerned” about the government’s proposals to cut subsidies to the fast-growing solar industry.
The mayor of London reminded ministers that 10,000 local jobs were dependent on this renewable power technology which had, in his view, “many, many attractions”.
The warning from the high-profile Conservative was welcomed by “green” politicians and industry leaders and came as the chief executive of Shell predicted solar would become the “backbone” of our energy system.
“I am concerned about the government’s potential cuts to feed-in tariffs. We are talking to members of all the representative bodies of solar industry in London,” said Johnson at Mayor’s Question Time on Wednesday.
“[We are] looking at what we can do to understand what impact this will have. There are about 10,000 jobs in the solar industry in London and solar panels have got cheaper, which is the government’s reason, I think, they are cutting the feed-in tariffs, but I think it would be wrong if the cut in the feed-in tariff actually stops people from investing in solar, because clearly it has many, many attractions,” he added.
The mayor, tipped to be a potential contender to replace David Cameron, was responding to concerns raised by Jenny Jones, London Assembly Green Party member.
She said afterwards: “At last Boris Johnson is starting to acknowledge how the government’s proposals to severely cut subsidies for solar energy are very likely to impact on London. The cuts will dash the hopes of London’s residents, schools, community energy groups and businesses wanting to generate clean energy on their empty rooftops.”
“The proposals, if enacted, will push large parts of the solar industry over the cliff edge to sink or swim. The Mayor has promised to look at the job loss implications for London, which the government could not even be bothered to assess.”
The Solar Trade Association welcomed the support of Johnson, saying government proposals to cut some subsidies by almost 90% were damaging for both industry and consumers. Major companies such as Panasonic of Japan have already been unusually vocal about the threat faced by the industry.
Panasonic, along with companies such as Ikea, joined with trade bodies including Energy UK and RenewableUK and unions, including the National Farmers Union, to sign a joint statement on Thursday calling on the government to reconsider its cuts to the feed-in tariffs.
Shadow foreign minister, Hilary Benn, said: “the very significant cuts being proposed by the current government are likely to cost jobs and investment in the green economy.”
Meanwhile Ben van Beurden, the boss of Shell, told the BBC’s Today programme that solar power was a vital new energy source. Asked how renewable energy could affect his oil business, the Dutchman said solar power could emerge as a much bigger contributor to world energy needs.
“I have no hesitation to predict that in years to come solar will be the dominant backbone of our energy system, certainly of the electricity system.”
