With all the uncertainties around what a Brexit would
actually involve, one thing seems certain: a post-Brexit UK would
have fewer rules and regulations to follow. But what does this mean
for the UK's energy – and in particular its renewables
– sector?
The UK is currently party to a wide array of treaties,
conventions, agreements and directives dealing with or affecting
climate change policy. Although some of these would no longer be
binding following a complete Brexit, many of them would remain in
force.
So although the Renewable Energy Directive would cease to set
binding targets for renewable energy generation, the Climate Change
Act would still be in force. The EU State Aid rules might cease to
apply but the WTO subsidy regime would not. The UK might leave the
Emissions Trading Scheme, but would still be a signatory to the
Paris Climate Agreement.
