February 13, 2020
U.K.

Onshore wind critic Leadsom sacked as UK energy secretary

Politician who steered legislation taking turbines out of support mechanism loses job | By Christopher Hopson | Recharge | 13 February 2020 | www.rechargenews.com

UK energy secretary Andrea Leadsom has been sacked in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle after six months heading up the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Leadsom, a high-profile critic of onshore wind, challenged Johnson for the leadership of the Conservative party in 2019. However, she was seen as a staunch supporter of the prime minister as well as a leading campaigner for Brexit.

Leadsom was a controversial figure to the UK renewables sector after completing an initial stint as energy minister in 2015 and 2016, when she helped steer through legislation taking onshore wind out of the national support mechanism, and championed the role of fracking-based gas extraction.

She had previously claimed turbines are inefficient and had an unacceptable impact in local communities.

Environment secretary Theresa Villiers was among other high-profile sackings by the prime minister in his first major reshuffle since last year’s general election.

Unconfirmed reports have suggested international development secretary Alok Sharma will replace Leadsom.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/02/13/onshore-wind-critic-leadsom-sacked-as-uk-energy-secretary/