UK Energy Minister John Hayes noted that "renewables matter in the energy mix", and that it was important to "support a range of renewable technologies, particularly those at the cutting edge".
Both ministers have highlighted the enormous economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy in their speeches at RenewableUK’s annual conference in Glasgow.
Hayes reiterated that the British government will offer support to renewables in the forthcoming Energy Bill, which includes wide-ranging electricity market reform.
RenewableUK deputy chief executive Maf Smith said, "The wind industry welcomes Mr Hayes’ long term commitment to developing renewable energy, and his reassurance that Government will provide stability, certainty and clarity – these are exactly the outcomes the industry wants from the Energy Bill which will be published next month."
Salmond also told delegates at the conference that renewable energy offers a "massive economic opportunity for Scotland", adding that it has "the potential to bring about the reindustrialisation of the Scottish coastline".
