Commenting on today’s publication of the Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which sets out sets out a pathway to a clean power system by 2030, RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said:
“The Clean Power Action Plan contains a host of welcome policy announcements. From the reform and resourcing of our planning system which will speed up the pace of approving new wind and solar farms, including bringing onshore wind back into the NSIP regime, to changes to the way the UK connects renewable energy projects to our grid. The plan also rightly focusses on integrating renewables into the future energy system, such as by accelerating the deployment of flexibility and storage solutions, including long and short duration storage, green hydrogen and interconnectors.
“The Government clearly wants to make offshore wind the backbone of the future energy system, and many of the announcements in the Clean Power Plan will mean we’ll start to see investment in new projects increasing soon. The proposals also look to increase the number of projects that can potentially bid for Government power contracts next year, as well as setting out a forward programme of CfD auctions, which could further boost investment in the sector.
“Crucially, the Action Plan also recognises that not all the core decisions about the future of the energy sector have been made. We’re particularly keen to see new measures in the upcoming Industrial Strategy to support investment in clean energy supply chains, as well as a final decision on market reform to provide certainty and confidence.”
Alongside the Action Plan, the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published an update on its Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA). This outlines the next steps for the REMA package, including further details on national and zonal market options, as well as longer-term reforms to both the CfD and Capacity Market schemes.
ENDS.
For further information, please contact: Sam Sheppard, Sam.Sheppard@RenewableUK.com, 07738 493 827.
