The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has released an analysis of the road to clean power (CP30 Report).

Commissioned by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the analysis concludes that clean power is a huge challenge but is achievable for Great Britain by 2030 and that overall systems costs should not increase for a clean power system. Achieving this goal will also increase the amount of domestic energy production and significantly reduce exposure to potential energy price shocks from spikes in international gas prices.

Other factors could reduce electricity bills in 2030, including a reduction in legacy policy costs (as contracts expire) and energy efficiency improvements. Government policy decisions could also reduce bills by 2030.

Delivering Clean Power by 2030 will require swift action from industry, regulators, government, and NESO, necessitating significant changes in approach. The right supply, demand, networks and flexibility all need to be developed. A key challenge will be making sure all deliver simultaneously, in full and at maximum pace, in a sustainable way.

Fintan Slye, chief executive, NESO said: “There’s no doubt that the challenges ahead on the journey to delivering clean power are great. However, if the scale of those challenges is matched with the bold, sustained actions that are outlined in this report, the benefits delivered could be even greater.”

The Government will now consider the advice in developing its clean power action plan later this year.

Alongside this report NESO is publishing a consultation on the methodologies which create the architecture for grid connections reform. The consultation proposes specific criteria and processes for reducing and reordering the connections queue. It marks a shift from the current “first come, first served” approach to grid connections, to prioritise those projects which are ready to proceed, and which align to the locational and technological mix needed for the future energy system. Reforming grid connections to align with plans for the future energy system is a critical step identified in the Clean Power 2030 report.

RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail commented: "It's great to have clarity on what the renewable energy industry needs to deliver to decarbonise the UK’s electricity system by 2030. This is an ambitious programme to move to a more secure and cost-effective system - and we can meet these targets as long as the Government continues to work closely with us to put the right policies in place as soon as possible.”

Report link here.

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