Cornwall MPs call for renewable energy support

Jayne Kirkham said the county had "unrivalled resources" when it came to wind and solar energy

MPs have called on the government to further support energy sources and critical mineral mining in Cornwall.

The Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, Jayne Kirkham and fellow Labour MP Perran Moon, representing Camborne and Reduth, said investors were very keen on the region's potential.

Earlier in October it was announced that a new Green Economy Centre at the University of Exeter was getting £4.5m to accelerate the mining of lithium, tin, and tungsten in Devon and Cornwall, according to UK Research and Innovation.

Speaking in the Commons, Jayne Kirkham said the county had "unrivalled resources" when it came to wind and solar energy, geothermal power, and stores of important metals such as tin and lithium.

However, she added that a lack of government support had put a brake on growth.

"It's a race against time to remove the barriers and kick start some of these projects," she said.

"The crown estate, the government and GB Energy need to work together to provide a feasible timeline of contracts for difference and leasing rounds, as well as doing the groundwork by investing in the surveys and infrastructure - so investors will come on board."

Energy Minister Kerry McCarthy said the government is keen to support renewable energy businesses in Cornwall, including through reforms to the planning system.