UK's Transition to Clean Power by 2030: Feasibility, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations
Key Ideas
- E3G and Baringa Partners' modelling show that achieving 86-96% clean power in the UK by 2030 is feasible through renewable energy build-out.
- Policy changes are recommended to lower electricity bills by over £200, including reducing renewables costs and moving levies off bills.
- Drax biomass operations may not be necessary to meet targets, and the government should shift towards zero-emission dispatchable power sources.
- While green hydrogen is highlighted as a key backup solution, critics emphasize the importance of leveraging a variety of renewable technologies for clean power 2030.
A recent report by E3G and Baringa Partners outlines the feasibility of the UK achieving a substantial percentage of clean power by 2030 through a concerted build-out of renewable energy sources. The report presents three scenarios: baseline acceleration, constrained acceleration, and unconstrained acceleration, with the latter achieving 96% clean power by the set target year.
Policy changes are proposed to enable the government to complete its clean power mission while keeping electricity bills at current levels. Recommendations include reducing the cost of renewables, shifting levies off bills, and driving an efficiency revolution in the energy market.
The report questions the necessity of Drax biomass operations for target achievement and advocates for the government to recognize the environmental and financial costs associated with such operations. Instead, the focus is on transitioning towards zero-emission dispatchable power sources.
While green hydrogen is highlighted as a crucial backup solution, critics like Samantha Smith from the Renewable Energy Association emphasize the importance of utilizing a variety of renewable technologies, including biomethane and Long Duration Energy Storage options like pumped hydro storage and compressed air storage, to meet clean power goals effectively.
Topics
Utilities
Renewable Energy
Climate Change
Energy Security
Net Zero
Energy Storage
Biomass
Electricity Market
Policy Recommendations
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