I’m suspect of government promises to achieve something by some distant date. New administrations may get elected. New issues or public sentiment may lead to revisions. Politicians seem to feel that once they announce something, the problem has been solved. Often, in the public eye, that’s true. Even the startling Paris accord, enthusiastically endorsed by many nations, now has some, including the U.S., backing down on their pledges. However, this five-year commitment may happen. Comments afterwards.
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UK Government Announces Plan for 95% Green Energy by 2030
Edited by Chris McDermott
EcoWatch
December 13, 2024
Ed Miliband, the United Kingdom’s secretary of energy and climate change, announced on Friday the government’s “clean power 2030” plan, which includes measures giving ministers final approval of large onshore wind farms.
The plan is part of an “ambitious” goal of reaching 95 percent green energy by the end of the decade, reported BBC News. Miliband said in a government press release …
“A new era of clean electricity for our country of-
fers a positive vision of Britain’s future with energy
security, lower bills, good jobs and climate action.
“This can only happen with big, bold change and
that is why the government is embarking on the
most ambitious reforms to our energy system in
generations. The era of clean electricity is about
harnessing the power of Britain’s natural re-
sources so we can protect working people from
the ravages of global energy markets.”
Miliband also wants the country’s energy regulator to have the power to tackle energy projects waiting to be hooked up to the National Grid, BBC News said.
The Labour government wants large onshore wind projects to be brought back into England’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project system, along with other energy infrastructure.
Labour’s plans would give the government the final word on the approval of
wind projects bigger than 100 megawatts (MW), instead of putting local councils — which have frequently expressed opposition — in charge. Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, said in the press release …
“We welcome the prospect of slashing red tape for
grid connections, overturning the onshore wind
ban in England and allowing more special offers
to slash energy bills. Britain’s high energy prices
stem from years of bad rules that don’t allow
us to build renewable energy in the places it’s
needed, or make use of cheap wind when
it’s abundant, so these are positive steps.”
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said Labour’s new proposals will generate 40 billion pounds annually in private sector funds, The Guardian reported.
The plan was welcomed by environmental groups, as well as the energy industry.
The announcement followed Tuesday’s signing of the last investment decision for the first carbon capture project in the UK at Teesside. Construction will begin in mid-2025, with the East Coast Cluster set to capture and sequester carbon emissions from the region’s industries.
Environmentalists urged the government not to invest in carbon capture projects in lieu of renewable energy development. Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK’s director of policy, as reported by The Guardian, said …
“Any money earmarked for carbon capture and
storage – which is expensive, impossible to make
zero carbon and fails to detach electricity prices
from the volatile international gas market – would
be better spent on the renewables, grid and storage
infrastructure that will actually deliver clean power.”
The release of the new action plan followed a National Energy System Operator (NESO) analysis of pathways to Labour’s 2030 goal provided to the Energy Department. NESO called the target a “huge challenge,” but “achievable,” PA Media reported.
UK ministers are looking to release the country from its fossil fuel dependence, which was made clear when Britain’s energy bills skyrocketed to record highs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reported The Guardian.
The UK government will begin a call for evidence for parking lot solar panel canopies in 2025. It said a significant number of solar panels could also potentially be installed on factory and warehouse roofs, with one-fifth of the largest warehouses in the UK providing as much as 15GW of solar capacity.
Low solar and wind power generation has forced the UK to lean heavily on the burning of wood and gas pellets. Roughly 65 percent of Britain’s electricity supply comes from gas and biomass, while just 5.3 percent is generated by wind. Parr said, as The Guardian reported …
“The winds of change are finally blowing
in the right direction. But this roadmap
must treble the amount of power generated
by offshore wind and solar and double
onshore wind, at least, if it’s to deliver the
kind of ambition needed to turbocharge
our way to a renewably powered future.”
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In case you’ve not traveled to the UK, their first national trail, The Pennine Way, is a south-to-north wind tunnel. Hikers are explicitly told to only walk in the northerly direction. My wife and I did so, and I whole heartedly endorse that advice! That wind resource alone seems likely sufficient to satisfy all of the UK’s power needs.
When I asked why they weren’t installing the wind machines, one of the biggest reasons we heard was objections from local townships. If someone – even a passerby or tourist – thinks it unsightly, it must be removed. It seems preposterous to place aesthetic quality above the nation’s need for clean energy. However …
The #1 reason people bought one of our net zero Garden Atrium homes was aesthetics – their immediate quality-of-life experience – not eco-anything. I’ll be encouraged to see how the UK solves the need for both, and evolves a true win-win outcome from which we all might learn. Nordic countries are already nearly there, and are enjoying better economies, too. Others, such as the U.S. are turning their backs on the climate problem and economic problem … like ostriches who bury their heads in the sand until the crisis passes. Adding D’s comments …
“If Great Brittain can do this, then so can the U.S. May this happen sooner than later.
“The change in administration in the U.S.is pushing the response to global warming down to the individual. As individuals, there is much you can do – (solar panels, electric car, etc.) If your values are values to help Mother Earth, as well as maximize your own quality-of-life experience, then it becomes necessary to take care of what you can take care of … which is your own home or maybe office … to make it as environmentally friendly as you can.
“Do it for yourself. And do it for your belief in our need to protect Earth.
