A new report from the National Engineering Policy Center (NEPC) has stated that accelerating the rollout of solar energy is an important step towards meeting the UK’s 2030 clean energy targets.
Titled Rapid decarbonisation of the UK electricity system, the report was compiled by an independent working group led by the Royal Academy of Engineering. It sets out six key elements needed to deliver the rapid decarbonisation needed to meet net zero targets, including building digitally enabled systems, ensuring Britain has strong central leadership accountable to the Prime Minister, and takes a proactive approach to procurement and regulation. and “grabbing the nettles” to resolve scheduling and permitting delay issues.
The report emphasizes the importance of increased solar power generation in the clean energy transition, stating that “the sharp increase in the supply of low-carbon generation this decade should come primarily from wind and solar power, due to their relatively short lead times and the ease of scaling up. ”. It also urges the government to “set out its vision for onshore solar and wind energy early in parliament and implement this in its approach to public engagement and planning”.
Additionally, the report advises that due to the limitations of building new distribution and transmission infrastructure, “it will be useful to add renewable capacity, especially onshore wind and solar, in locations that can be easily housed without new transmission lines” .
‘There’s no time to lose’
The document also sets out several recommendations for the early days of the new UK government, including setting clear goals for the energy transition and an evidence-based vision of how it will be achieved, setting up a dedicated unit to implement digitalisation, and “urgently” establishing “clear, single-point, empowered, inter-governmental leadership within.” Mission Controlincluding a role as chief engineer or equivalent”.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “There is no time to lose in making progress towards this crucial aspect of a net zero energy system.
“Decarbonising electricity production, transmission and use in an accelerated timeframe will not only deliver societal benefits through an energy system that is less vulnerable to global disruption, but will also create an economic and competitive opportunity for Britain to lead the way.” running in infrastructure, technology and technical skills that will shape the future.”
Dr. Simon Harrison, co-chair of the independent working group and group head of strategy at Mott MacDonald, added: “The scale of work required to decarbonise the electricity system in such a short time cannot be underestimated. But the precedent set by the rapid delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine shows that the collective pursuit of a national mission can bring a seemingly impossible goal within reach.
“It will take a radical change in our approach, but the tech community has already come together to map that out in this report, and is ready to roll up its sleeves to deliver the clean energy we need.”
A version of this article first appeared on our sister site Current±. You can read this version here.
