Solar Energy UK welcomes the scale of government ambition and planning reforms for solar to boost Britain’s energy security following rising global energy prices and volatility in international markets.
The Government has made clear its ambition to accelerate the deployment of solar, which is the most affordable renewable energy technology in the UK and the fastest to deploy. Doing so will make Britain more energy secure and reduce energy bills for consumers.
The ambition of a five-fold increase in solar capacity by 2035 would equate to roughly 70GW of total generation capacity, which could support 60,000 jobs.
There will need to be a significant and rapid investment in new grid infrastructure and further reforms to planning rules to expedite solar projects to achieve this. The Energy Security Strategy highlights its importance, and Solar Energy UK looks forward to engaging with the Government in detail on how it can be delivered.
However, while these measures will contribute to a cleaner and more affordable energy system, the Government can still go further to support consumers facing high energy costs in the immediate future. There is also a major need to invest in skills and training to deliver accelerated deployment.
Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett said: ‘The Government’s expectations of a five-fold increase in solar in the UK by 2035 show that it now shares the same level of ambition as the UK solar industry.
“The announced changes in planning, CfD auctions and potential low-cost finance options could significantly accelerate deployment, creating thousands of jobs, cutting energy bills, and making Britain more energy secure.’
Solar Energy recently published an energy security strategy briefing that summarises the benefits of solar energy and the immediate impacts that deploying more solar will have on the UK energy crisis.
