May moots industrial energy efficiency scheme, price caps for small firms and more battery money

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10 energy pledges in manifesto, including one or two new ones.

The Conservatives, if in power after 8 June, will consult on extending a proposed price cap on domestic energy prices to very small businesses. The Tory manifesto also promises a new industrial energy efficiency scheme “to help large companies install measures to cut their consumption and bills”.

Post-Brexit, the manifesto suggests a new set of energy policies that focus on outcomes rather than technologies. While the manifesto pledges to meet global climate commitments, affordability and reliability are key outcomes, given the manifesto states that “the lowest energy costs in Europe” is the overarching aim.

Other energy related pledges suggest a more favourable regime for onshore wind, provided it’s in Scotland and preferably on an island, and R&D support for battery technology.

The manifesto also moots a review of the cost of energy; support for shale gas and more money for communities where fracking goes ahead; bringing fuel poor homes up to band C energy efficiency standards by 2030; and another look at energy efficiency standards for new build properties. The government is also sticking to the 2020 date for the completion of the smart meter rollout, for now at least.

Also published this week, the Labour manifesto promises the party would push for higher renewable energy (i.e power and heat) targets of 60% by 2030, while renationalising utilities, if it came to power.

The Liberal Democrats too pledge increased support for energy efficiency and smart grid technologies, more ambitious decarbonisation targets and higher renewable power targets (also 60% by 2030), while reinstating support for solar and onshore wind.

See the Conservative manifesto here; the Labour manifesto here, and the Liberal Democrats’ here.

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