Andrea Leadsom has been appointed as the UK’s energy secretary as part of Boris Johnson’s new-look cabinet.
A critic of onshore wind power, she takes on the role from Greg Clark, overseeing the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Ms Leadsom is a former energy minister and in 2015 ended taxpayer subsidies for onshore windfarms, a year earlier than planned.
The MP for South Northamptonshire said it was a “great honor” to take on the job supporting UK business through Brexit and tackling the “vital” issue of climate change.
WATCH @andrealeadsom's arrival and first words as new Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy pic.twitter.com/EsOGmoMlvM
— Dept for BEIS (@beisgovuk) July 24, 2019
Greg Clark held the role between July 2016 and July 2019.
The new Prime Minister’s clear-out also saw Claire Perry relinquish her position as minister for energy and clean growth, however she takes on a new role as president of the UK’s COP26 climate conference.
1. Delighted to accept new PM’s offer to become COP26 President working closely with him but in order to do the job properly I suggested that I relinquish the broader Clean Growth and Energy portfolio and he has agreed.
— Claire Perry (@claireperrymp) July 24, 2019
Meanwhile, Kwasi Kwarteng, MP for Spelthorne, has become minister for business and energy and will attend cabinet in the role.