As the UK embarks on a journey toward a greener, more sustainable future, we reflect on the new Labour government’s vision and the vital steps needed to make it a reality. Beyond funding, we believe lasting impact requires a circular economy, robust energy independence, and strategic, future-focused investments that benefit both the nation and the planet.
To realise the new Labour government’s plans to make Britain a clean energy superpower, we must think about the circular economy. It’s reassuring to see such investment in a cleaner future; however, funds alone do not secure a clean future for the country. A circular economy lasts longer than a prime minister’s term in office.
If implemented appropriately, we believe today’s budget could be labelled the ‘greenest budget in UK history’, a step towards a world fully powered by clean, renewable energy. But this budget is about much more than the environment: it’s a huge step towards energy independence and futureproofing our resources.
By committing to “making Britain a clean energy superpower,”, the long-term decision to invest in green infrastructure is not just the best decision for the planet; it puts the UK on a more secure footing in geopolitical terms.
It’s not just the commitment to cleaner energy that makes this budget so promising. Whilst the overall economy grew just 0.1% in 2023, the ‘green economy’ grew 9%, evidencing that the decision to invest heavily in renewables is also the sensible financial approach from the new Labour government. The tax incentives for capital investment as well as the oil and gas windfall tax increases to 38% in this new budget will further strengthen investment in the sector.
It’s promising to hear investment in the North of England and Scotland. For example, out of the 11 new hydrogen plants, three are set to be located in Bridgend, East Renfrewshire and Barrow-in-Furness. At Apatura, we’ve already identified that Scotland is brimming with untapped potential as a site for BESS, solving the problem of bottlenecked energy transits.
One area we were disappointed not to get the attention it deserves was data centres. In 2022, data centres accounted for just 2.5% of the UK’s electricity consumption, but with the National Grid expecting this figure to increase six-fold by 2035, the Government must have a coherent strategy to match the ever-increasing demand.
As the UK navigates this new chapter in energy transformation, we remain on a relentless mission to deliver sustainable energy and essential infrastructure solutions that fast-track the path to net zero, empowering communities, the economy, and the planet to thrive through clean, renewable energy
