Doug Stewart, ceo of sustainable electricity provider, Green Energy UK, said it is an opportune time for the government to lay strong foundations for investment in renewable energy capacity.
He said: “Continually delaying decisions (in energy policy) is discouraging investment and it is clearly apparent that the country needs to invest in power generation.
“An increase in capital allowances for companies investing in energy efficiency measures and waste reduction would also be most welcome. Clever incentives should be introduced which can boost returns for both companies and the country in the long term. In addition, investment into infrastructure to support the use of electric vehicles would help us stand out as European leaders in the move to zero emission vehicles.
“Finally, we’d like to see the issue of fuel poverty being effectively tackled, perhaps by increasing households’ personal allowances. A significant change in the personal allowance could be a real stimulus for taxpayers and for the economy as a whole, as most are likely to go out and spend the improvement in their take home pay.”
Richard Threlfall, KPMG’s UK head of infrastructure, added that chancellor George Osborne needed to show ‘bold leadership’ in the budget to unlock new development spend from private finance.
He said: “In order to create growth and drive long-term competitiveness the UK requires huge investments now in its housing, transport networks, and energy infrastructure.