The UK government has reactivated the Solar Taskforce as part of a series of plans to accelerate the delivery of solar energy across the country.
The joint government-industry body is co-chaired by Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK, who oversaw the development of the Solar Roadmap, a plan setting out the practical actions needed to deliver 70 GW of power by 2035 solar generation capacity. This plan will now need to be revised slightly to meet the new Labor government’s target of reaching 50 GW of generation capacity by 2030.
Commenting on the announcement, Chris Hewett said: “I am very much looking forward to returning as Chair of the Solar Taskforce and I am sure the expert members will agree with my thoughts. Much of the groundwork for the Solar Roadmap has already been done. I am confident that we will be able to publish it within a few months.”
“However, the new government’s eagerness to generate more solar power means redoubling efforts to make electricity networks fit for purpose, equip the UK workforce with the right skills for solar rollout and to invest in a UK supply chain in areas such as batteries, steel erection and engineering, procurement and construction. This will ensure that the UK economy really benefits from the growth of clean energy,” he added.
The taskforce will now be co-chaired by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who said: “I want to unleash a British solar roof revolution. We will encourage builders and homeowners in whatever way they can to deliver this win-win technology to millions of addresses across Britain, so people can get their own electricity, reduce their bills and help fight climate change at the same time.”
New government puts solar energy in the spotlight
The news follows other major announcements for the UK solar industry.
Just days ago, the newly elected Labor government announced that it had granted development consents (DCOs) to three solar farms classified as Nationally Important Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), totaling more than 1.3 GW of generation capacity.
Development can now proceed with Lincolnshire-based solar farms Gate Burton and Mallard Pass, as well as the 500MW solar and storage Sunnica Energy Farm, located on the border between Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
Under former Foreign Minister Clarie Coutinho, decisions on the licensing of the Sunnica and Mallard Pass projects had previously been postponed.
Chris Hewett expressed his “delight” at the approvals, adding that they demonstrate “exactly the kind of clear leadership that will boost investor confidence and show that Britain is serious about tackling the climate crisis with the urgency that is needed.”
