Will renewable energy save British industry?

Question

hooray for Belfast ship-builders Harland and Wolff, who were in big trouble a few years ago, they have revitalised their business by switching to marine energy projects;

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/article3549254.ece

do you know of any other sucess stories so far, and what should the different government departments be doing to encourage this?

at the moment they seem bent on hindering it, e.g.;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=544113&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490

Answer 1

I don't think it's a case of saving British industry; it's really a case of renewable energy saving the country altogether. Ever heard of the Peak Oil or Peak Gas theories? The North Sea fields are in decline so we import more and more from Russia and Eastern Europe but who are less able to export year after year.

So if renewable energy can't save British industry it won't be the end of the world. But there is more at stake.

Answer 2

I think a lot of British firms will be too slow to act. Germany will, once again, emerge as the industry leader. Germany is very, very keen on renewable energy, with many homes already owning solar power. Without a domestic market, British business wont see much point in investing.

One way government could fairly easily help the industry, would be by placing a giant order for micro renewables for all public buildings. This would create a market, cut energy needs and at the same time, bring the prices down by allowing mass production.