Green Energy Overtakes Gas as UK’s Leading Electricity Source

Renewables surpass gas in electricity generation

During the winter of 2022-2023, power generated by renewables reached 34TWh (terawatt hours), 2TWh more than the power produced by gas. The increased power generation from renewable sources is a result of greater investment and installation of offshore wind turbines in the UK.

The rise in renewable energy generation has helped the UK avoid a more severe energy crisis, especially given the increasing costs of gas and concerns around its security of supply. The shift towards renewable energy has helped to reduce the country’s carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

How can we expect to benefit from green energy?

The shift towards renewable energy sources has several advantages: 

• Reducing carbon emissions: Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectricity do not emit greenhouse gases, unlike fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and pollution.
• Improving air quality: Fossil fuel power plants emit harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter. Green energy sources do not emit such pollutants and, therefore, improve air quality.
• Stable energy prices: Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are infinite and do not rely on finite resources such as oil or gas, which can be subject to geopolitical tensions and price fluctuations.

The Government’s Role in the Green Energy Transition

While the UK’s transition to green energy has largely been driven by market forces and private investment, government policies have played a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for the shift. 

One such policy is the Renewable Obligation scheme, which was introduced in 2002 and required energy suppliers to source a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. This scheme was later replaced by Contracts for Difference, which provide financial incentives for renewable energy projects by guaranteeing a fixed price for electricity generated by these projects.

Another key policy driver of the shift to green energy is the UK’s carbon pricing system, which was introduced in 2013. The system puts a price on carbon emissions, encouraging businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and shift towards low-carbon energy sources. The UK’s ambitious emissions reduction targets, which include a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, have also played a critical role in driving the transition to green energy.

The UK government has also introduced policies aimed at promoting the uptake of green technologies among households. The Green Homes Grant, for example, provides funding for energy-efficient upgrades to homes, while the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme supports the installation of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. These policies not only help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also support the growth of green industries and create jobs.

Finally, international cooperation and agreements such as the Paris Agreement have played a critical role in shaping UK energy policy. The Paris Agreement, which the UK has ratified, sets a global target of limiting the rise in global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This target requires a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a shift towards low-carbon energy sources. By working with other countries to address climate change, the UK can help to ensure a sustainable future for all.

Offshore Wind Leading the Charge

Offshore wind has been the driving force behind the growth of renewable energy in the UK, with the country leading the world in offshore wind energy production. The UK has over 10GW of offshore wind capacity, with many more projects currently in development. Here are some examples of offshore wind projects in the UK:

• The Hornsea One wind farm, located off the coast of Yorkshire, is the largest offshore wind farm in the world, with a capacity of 1.2GW.
• The Dogger Bank Wind Farm, located off the coast of Yorkshire, is set to become the world’s largest offshore wind farm with a capacity of 3.6GW.
• The East Anglia ONE wind farm, located off the coast of Suffolk, has a capacity of 714MW and can power over 600,000 homes.
• These offshore wind projects not only contribute significantly to the UK’s renewable energy goals, but they also create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in coastal regions.

Investment in Energy Infrastructure and Battery Technology

While the shift towards renewable energy is undoubtedly a positive development, the ECIU has highlighted the need for increased investment in energy infrastructure and battery technology. This investment is crucial to ensure that surplus green energy can be stored and distributed to homes efficiently.

Here are some examples of energy infrastructure and battery technology investments in the UK:

• The world’s largest battery storage facility, located in Whitelee, Scotland, has a capacity of 50MW and can store enough energy to power 20,000 homes for an hour.
• The National Grid has invested £10 million in the world’s first grid-scale liquid air energy storage (LAES) facility in Manchester. This facility can store up to 50MWh of energy, enough to power 5,000 homes for a day.
• The UK government has announced a £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to accelerate the development of new clean technologies, including energy storage solutions.

The investment in energy infrastructure and battery technology will help to address the challenge of intermittency in renewable energy sources. It will also enable a more stable and reliable supply of green energy to homes and businesses, bringing down energy bills and reducing the UK’s carbon footprint.

The Future of the UK’s Energy Sector

The UK has set ambitious targets for reducing its carbon emissions, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this, the country must continue to invest in renewable energy sources and technologies. Some potential developments in the future include:

Investment in offshore wind 

The UK has some of the world’s most significant offshore wind resources and is well-positioned to take advantage of this. The government has set a target of generating 40GW of offshore wind power by 2030.

Expansion of solar power

While the UK may not have as much solar potential as some other countries, it still has significant untapped resources. Increased investment in solar power, including rooftop solar, could help to reduce reliance on other energy sources.

Development of hydrogen energy

Hydrogen is a promising energy source that could complement renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. The UK has set a target of producing 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030.

Implementing carbon capture technology

Carbon capture technology involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial processes and storing them underground. This technology could help to reduce emissions from fossil fuel power plants while the transition to renewable energy is ongoing.

Implications for the Legal Profession

The shift towards green energy in the UK has significant implications for the legal profession, particularly in the areas of energy law, environmental law, and climate change law. As renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectricity become more prevalent, there will be a corresponding increase in the legal work required to facilitate the growth of the green energy industry.

For instance, lawyers specializing in energy law will be involved in drafting contracts and negotiating deals for the financing, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects. They will also be tasked with ensuring compliance with the regulatory frameworks governing the energy sector, including the Contracts for Difference and the Renewable Obligation schemes.

Environmental lawyers will play a key role in helping businesses and governments comply with environmental regulations and mitigate the impact of their operations on the environment. They will also be involved in disputes arising from environmental issues, such as pollution or damage to natural resources, and in negotiating settlements or pursuing legal action on behalf of their clients.

Climate change lawyers will be involved in advising clients on the legal risks and opportunities associated with climate change, including compliance with emissions reduction targets, carbon pricing, and the transition to low-carbon energy sources. They will also be involved in litigation related to climate change, such as lawsuits against companies for their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions or challenges to government policies that impact climate change.

In addition, the shift towards green energy will likely lead to an increase in legal work related to energy infrastructure and storage technologies. Lawyers will be involved in drafting contracts and negotiating deals related to the construction and operation of energy storage facilities, as well as in resolving disputes related to energy transmission and distribution.

Key Takeaways

To sum up, the UK’s shift towards green energy is a positive development for the country’s energy security and climate goals. However, the ECIU’s warning about the need for investment in energy infrastructure and battery technology to store surplus green energy is an important reminder that there is still work to be done to fully leverage the potential of renewable energy. Such investments would not only enable more cheap, natural energy to flow to homes but also help to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. It is therefore crucial that policymakers and energy companies continue to prioritize the development of renewable energy infrastructure and storage technology to build on the progress that has been made so far.

By Mallika Singhal