UK on track to miss 2030 clean power targets, research suggests
UK on track to miss 2030 clean power targets, research suggests
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The Government is projected to miss its revised targets for developing new solar and wind power by 2030, according to new research. Forecasts from industry consultancy Cornwall Insight said the UK is on track to miss its Clean Power 2030 targets despite efforts to remove potential obstacles for industry and boost investment.
It would represent a significant blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s Government, which has said decarbonising the country’s electricity system by 2030 is a major goal. It comes despite the Government revising down its capacity targets in an action plan released late last year.
Cornwall Insight said the UK is set to miss clean power targets for offshore, onshore and solar by 32 gigawatts (GW), enough to power tens of millions of homes. The UK is set to fall particularly short of meeting its solar power ambitions, with levels expected to reach 29GW compared with the 45-47GW Government target.
This is despite Cornwall Insight still predicting that solar power levels will grow by 70% over the next five years after underperformance in recent years. Onshore wind has been boosted by changes in policy, but growth is 10GW short of the 27-29GW goal, the research forecast.
Meanwhile, offshore wind comes closest to the target, with predictions it will miss targets by 6GW. Grid connection delays, supply chain constraints, and uncertainty surrounding electricity market reforms are all creating a challenging environment for developers.
