'In announcing that a Labour government would freeze energy bills for two years, Ed Milliband has created a year of fear for potential investors in funding desperately needed new generating capacity for the UK,' Andrew Eastwell,
chief executive of BSRIA has said.
'Which investor is going to put up the millions needed for both renewable and conventional plant when the return on that investment has effectively been politicised and put into the hands of a new, unknown body?' Mr Eastwell posited.
'OFGEM has already sounded serious warning bells about UK's generating margin falling from about 14% to sub 4% levels around 2016. Introducing the kind of uncertainty that his announcement implies could hardly come at a worst moment; in effect it is perfectly possible that this choice of policy, aimed as it probably was to win votes from the general public, could in fact result in a greater likelihood of brown or blackouts. This is hardly an outcome that will increase the efficiency of industry and the generation of wealth and jobs.' Mr Eastwell commented.