Rudd previously served as the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change from July 2014 until May 2015. She was elected Conservative MP for Hastings & Rye on 6 May 2010.

 

UK renewable energy industry observers reacted positively to the news of Rudd’s appointment.  

 

“We are pleased to see continuity at the Department following her role as Energy Minister in the previous Government,” said Maria McCaffery, RenewableUK’s chief executive. “We welcome the positive commitments which she has made on reducing carbon emissions, tackling climate change and protecting the environment. We are looking forward to working with her and showing how all the technologies we represent can help achieve these aims, as well as providing energy security and financial growth for the UK. We wish Amber Rudd well as Energy Secretary.”

 

Dr Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association, concurred. “Amber Rudd has been a champion of renewables and the low-carbon economy in the past year, and her appointment will do much to allay the fears some may have after the general election,” she said. “We look forward to continue working with her on some of the pressing challenges ahead, ensuring we meet our targets in the most efficient way, laying the foundations for post 2020, and making sure the UK is leading the way in green jobs and cost-effective renewables.”

 

Paul Barwell, CEO of the Solar Trade Association, also welcomed Rudd’s appointment, adding that his group is hopeful that her experience in finance, her previous experience in the Treasury and her real understanding of the needs of new and growing businesses will mean that she recognises the value that the UK’s thousands of small and medium sized solar companies can bring. “We look forward to working with her to make sure solar reaches its full potential,” Barwell stated. “We need stable policy support and strong leadership on solar — just one final push could get rooftop solar to zero subsidy by the time this Government leaves office.”

 

Ben Stafford, WWF-UK’s head of public affairs, also welcomed Amber Rudd’s appointment, citing her past experience as an asset. “As a Minister in the Department under the last Government, she showed that she understands that climate change is a huge threat – to the economy, society and the environment – and one that needs to be tackled,” Stafford stated. “We look forward to her showing strong leadership – both internationally and at home — as we approach December’s crucial Paris climate change summit.”