The UK will miss its renewable energy goals
Although the UK is the first nation in the G7 to phase out the generation of power produced by coal, investment and operational constraints mean that we are currently on track to miss key solar and wind capacity targets.
UK Clean Power Targets
The government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan was published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in December 2024. It sets out plans to ensure that almost 100% of the electricity consumed in Britain is produced using clean power.
However, current data forecasts indicate that onshore and offshore solar PV and wind targets will be missed by up to 32 gigawatts. This is despite the fact that Prime Minister Keir Starmer reneged on the Labour Party’s pledge to achieve zero carbon electricity by 2030 and instead stated that the aim is now to achieve 95% clean power.
What are the challenges?
While it’s clear that clean energy installations have been progressing across the UK in the last few years, making further steps towards achieving goals will require taking action to address regulatory and governance issues, make market reforms, and develop local industry support.
It is also thought that achieving such an ambitious goal will rely to a certain extent on managing to persuade the general public to switch to newer technologies, including efficient household appliances and the installation of solar panels.
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Will the UK achieve its targets?
Achieving ambitious clean power targets is clearly a challenge, particularly with regard to ensuring that there is enough energy to meet the country’s needs. Major steps have already been made, including shutting down the Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal power plant in September 2024.
But although the UK may need to continue using natural gas for longer than initially planned, there are no glaring reasons as to why, with robust leadership and strong partnerships, clean power goals cannot be reached.