Cleantech veteran welcomes ‘green new deal’
Article Date: Apr 27 2009Long-established new energy entrepreneur Jeremy Leggett has welcomed support for the cleantech sector announced in the Budget.
The founder of solar power specialist Solarcentury, who was recently named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Rosenblatt New Energy Awards, says the measures represent ‘a green new deal in the UK’.
Leggett continues, ‘In the context of significant tightening elsewhere in the Budget, the sums made available for subsidies, loans, investment funds and capital allowances in energy efficiency and renewables can make a difference, and create many jobs.’
However, he warns that the real challenge will be following these commitments with the necessary action, adding, ‘Industry and government now needs to pull together to execute. We have some catching up to do.’
The Budget was also given a cautious welcome by Riccardo Segat, CEO of cleantech-focused venture capital firm Amplio Partners.
Says Segat, ‘I find the Budget’s emphasis on cleantech very encouraging. The promise of £525 million for offshore wind, together with up to £4 billion of new capital from the European Investment Bank, is a powerful combination.’
