New CCC report shows how UK can deliver a "reliable, resilient, decarbonised electricity supply system by 2035"

Fri 10 March 2023 View all news

A new report from the Climate Change Committee identifies the steps needed to achieve a reliable, resilient, decarbonised electricity system in the UK by 2035. Rapid progress is needed in order to deliver emissions reductions in line with the path to Net Zero.

The Committee - which advises the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and reports to Parliament on progress made - says that such a system can be achieved by 2035.

The report uses real weather data and hourly analysis of Great Britain’s power system to produce its conclusions. It also looks at the implications for hydrogen.

Key messages from the report are: 

  • A reliable, resilient, decarbonised electricity system can be delivered by 2035. This is needed to deliver emissions reductions in line with the path to Net Zero, while ensuring a reliable and resilient electricity supply and substantially reducing the UK’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
  • The Government must give equal focus to low carbon flexible solutions as to the full delivery of its existing renewables and nuclear commitments.
  • Decarbonising and expanding the electricity system will rapidly reduce the UK’s dependence on imported oil and gas, reducing in turn our exposure to volatile international prices.
  • Transforming the electricity system provides opportunities for growth. Currently, over 31,000 people across the UK are employed in offshore wind alone – this is set to rise to 97,000 by 2030, driven by £155 billion in private investment, with further investment and employment in solar and onshore wind.

Mark Sommerfeld, Head of Power and Flexibility at the REA (the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology) said: “The CCC couldn’t be clearer; delivering a secure and decarbonised power system needs urgent action today... this means urgently investing in our power grid to ensure new generation can connect quickly; significantly speeding up the planning system so that projects can move ahead in a reasonable time frame; and ensuring a route to market for a wide range of low carbon generation and storage technologies."

Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: “There is a huge investment opportunity in a cleaner, cheaper electricity system that isn’t blown about by international gas markets, but government needs a clearer plan for investors to pile in. The additional costs involved in balancing a renewables grid are minimal particularly when compared to the cost of gas power.

“With batteries building quickly, and the opportunity of demand responding to supply demonstrated by the Demand Flexibility Service, there are obvious routes forwards.”

Photo by Usukhbayar Gankhuyag on Unsplash

 

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