To accelerate the development of new renewable energy projects, the UK has developed an energy security strategy that includes wind, nuclear and solar, which account for 95% of electricity generation.
The strategy builds on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution and will work alongside the Net Zero Strategy to drive private sector spending of £100 billion ($130.23 billion) into new UK industries ), an unprecedented investment.
The strategy aims to address rising global energy prices caused by the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Britain's goal is to cut its reliance on fossil fuel imports, which are subject to fluctuating gas prices in international markets.
This strategy includes assisting consumers in paying their electricity bills, improving energy efficiency, supporting the oil and gas industry, and developing renewable energy.
solar energy
As part of the new strategy, the UK will review existing regulations for solar projects, especially residential projects and commercial rooftop projects. The UK currently has 14GW of installed solar capacity, and the UK government aims to grow the industry fivefold by 2035.
For ground-based solar energy projects, the government plans to revise planning regulations, strengthen the policy of developing unprotected land, and strive to achieve effective land use by encouraging the selection of large-scale projects on previously developed or lower-value land.
Government plans encourage solar to co-exist with other functions such as agriculture, onshore wind or energy storage to maximize land use efficiency.
For rooftop solar, in order to reduce costs and increase employment opportunities, this strategic plan radically simplifies the planning process, negotiates the relevant permitting development rights, and considers the best way to utilize the roof of the public realm.
The UK government has scrapped value-added tax (VAT) on solar modules installed in UK homes, working to boost low-cost financing for retail lenders, roof development and energy efficiency measures. As part of this strategy, the government plans to set performance standards to make renewable energy projects, including solar, a requirement for new homes and buildings.
wind energy
Under the new strategy, the UK aims to have 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, enough to power every UK home. These include a 5GW deep-sea floating offshore wind project. Behind this is an investment of up to £160 million (about $208.56 million) in ports and supply chains, as well as £31 million (about $40.39 million) in research and development.
The strategy aims to reduce approval times for new offshore wind farms to one year, compared to four years previously. The UK also plans to accelerate collaboration with the Offshore Wind Working Group, a group of industry experts working with the government, Ofgem and National Grid, to further reduce the time required.
With 14GW of installed onshore wind capacity in the UK, there is huge potential for future projects in Scotland. The UK will focus on developing partnerships with a limited number of supportive communities looking to incorporate new onshore wind infrastructure in exchange for lower guaranteed electricity rates. Plans also include working alliances with Scotland and Wales, where there is more land available for wind energy projects.
nuclear power
This strategy is expected to significantly accelerate nuclear power development, with nuclear capacity reaching 24GW by 2050, which would account for about 25% of projected electricity demand.
The UK will set up a new government agency, British Nuclear Power, to push ahead with new, heavily funded projects. The UK government also plans to launch a £120 million ($156.40 million) future nuclear energy fund. The government is aiming to accelerate the development of nuclear power in the UK by delivering eight reactors, the equivalent of one a year rather than a decade.
hydrogen
To reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the UK aims to double its low-carbon hydrogen production capacity to 10GW by 2030. At least half of that capacity will come from hydrogen, helping the UK industry avoid importing or using expensive fossil fuels.
This strategy aims to make an annual allocation of electrolytic hydrogen, subject to legislation and market conditions, shifting to a price-competitive allocation by 2025, in order to build or commission nearly 1 GW of electrolytic hydrogen projects by 2025.
The strategy also includes new business models designed for hydrogen transport and energy storage infrastructure, which are critical to developing the hydrogen economy. Under this strategic plan, the UK will establish a hydrogen certification scheme by 2025 to certify that high-grade UK hydrogen is available for export and to ensure that imported hydrogen meets the high standards expected by UK companies.
Over time, the UK Energy Security Strategy is expected to create 90,000 new jobs in offshore wind, 10,000 in solar and 12,000 in hydrogen.
Mercom has reported that the European Commission has outlined plans to find alternative natural gas supplies and improve energy efficiency in the coming months, while adding greener sources of electricity in the medium to long term.