. A total of PS1. According to RenewableUK’s latest industry report, 25 billion in UK economic investment was made last year by wind energy. The report calls on the government to establish a clear energy policy in order to encourage growth and restore investor confidence. Between July 2014 and June 2015 over 2GW more wind power capacity was added, bringing the UK’s total capability to more than 13GW. The wind industry supplies about 10% the UK’s electricity needs. According to the report, Scotland is more efficient than the rest of Britain. More than 60% of all onshore wind farms in Scotland are located there. Last year, the UK had an onshore wind turnover of PS millions. Scotland was responsible for over half, accounting for PS 211million, more than England and Northern Ireland combined. The lack of an energy policy from the government is affecting investor confidence. However, it was noted in the report that this is a trend. An annual survey of member attitudes found that 73% thinks the current investment climate is worse than it was in the past 18 month. According to the report, “it is evident that sector confidence is being affected by lack of government backing.” Maria McCaffery, chief executive at RenewableUK said in a statement that the government had yet not set forth its long-term energy policy. Ministers stated their goal to reduce carbon costs at the lowest possible cost for consumers. It is therefore difficult to see why they have been threatening investor confidence in the entire energy sector by making sudden and unexpected policy changes. This is particularly true for onshore wind. It is the most cost-effective clean technology, and it is expected to be less expensive than new gas by 2020,. Therefore, it is difficult to understand why ministers are threatening investor confidence in the UK’s energy sector with sudden and unexpected changes in policy.
