Labour’s UK election landslide promises renewable energy and hydrogen agenda

The Labour Party has won a landslide majority in the UK General Election, securing over 400 parliamentary seats of the 650 up for grabs.

It marks the end of 14 years of Conservative administration, now reduced to 119 MPs.

Labour Leader and incoming Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is poised to implement an ambitious agenda focused on growth, underpinned by focus on renewable energy and green initiatives.

Speaking in London just minutes after the Labour majority was confirmed, a jubilant Starmer said, “We did it. You campaigned for it, you fought for it – and now it has arrived. Change begins now.”

In government, Labour has pledged to invest big in renewable energy across the UK. It has laid out a blueprint for its state-owned Great British Energy (GBE) to drive investments into wind, solar, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Under its manifesto the party said it would dedicate £500m to support the development of the UK’s green hydrogen sector.

Despite the widespread rejection of the Conservative Party, Troy Aharonian, Head of Public Affairs at trade body Hydrogen UK, told H2 View, Labour is inheriting a healthy hydrogen policy framework and state of play from the Conservatives.

Read more: UK hydrogen foundations laid, next govt must fuel growth: Hydrogen UK

Outside the political turbulence and economic pressures that defined the past five years, the 2019 national hydrogen strategy laid strong foundations, particularly in standards and business models, according to Hydrogen UK.

Brett Hydrogen, Hydrogen UK’s Head of Policy and Analysis, said UK projects are mature and know the rules of the game, adding “it’s now just going through the motions and getting them deployed.”

Other voices across the industry are reacting to the news of Labour’s landslide and renewed calls to see greater momentum on hydrogen and renewable energy.

This story will be updated as more reactions come in.

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