UK offshore wind power to double by 2030
Plummeting renewable costs raise questions about government’s continued support for nuclear energy
Britain’s offshore wind capacity is set to double over the next decade, driven by a government strategy forcing turbine operators to bid for financial support in auctions.
Plummeting costs have made wind an increasingly affordable source of clean energy in recent years. By 2030, between a fifth and a third of the UK's electricity is expected to come from offshore wind power.
In a bid to give the industry the long-term stability it needs to continue to expand, Climate and Energy Secretary Claire Perry has confirmed that every two years the Government will hold auctions in which energy firms bid for contracts that guarantee a minimum price for the power they will sell.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The auction process “has forced firms to be transparent about the amount of support they actually need, and has halved the cost of supporting offshore wind”, says the BBC.
The system has been adopted worldwide “and is recognised as a major UK contribution to the development of clean energy” says the broadcaster.
Last year renewable sources supplied more than half of the UK’s energy for the first time, exceeding what was generated by burning coal and gas.
Yet the plummeting costs of wind and solar power, which has dropped by 99% since the technology was commercialised, has thrown the government’s commitment to nuclear power into question.
Theresa May has committed to building the controversial Hinkley Point nuclear power station, despite strong opposition from environmentalists, consumer groups and a National Audit Office report which claimed the project is “risky and expensive… with uncertain strategic and economic benefits”.
By contrast, Scotland has become a world leader in sourcing its electricity from renewables, after a record year in 2017 for creating eco-friendly energy.
The nation got more than two-thirds (68.1%) of its electricity from green schemes last year, The Independent reports, up from 54% the year before.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How Harris and Trump differ on education
The Explainer Trump wants to disband the Department of Education. Harris wants to boost teacher pay.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How to minimize capital gains tax on investments
The Explainer It can take a chunk out of your profits
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: November 4, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
The UK's nuclear waste problem
Under The Radar Safety concerns as 'highly radioactive' material could be buried in the English countryside
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Australia-Asia Power Link
Under The Radar New electricity infrastructure will see solar power exported from Down Under to Singapore
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Homeowners are getting burned by solar panel scammers
In Depth One-star reviews for solar companies have increased over 1,000% since 2018
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Decarbonising the national grid
The Explainer In theory, Britain's electricity grid will be carbon neutral by 2035. What will that involve? Is it even possible?
By The Week UK Published
-
Costa Rica's renewable energy success could be under threat
Under the radar Central American nation generates nearly all its electricity from renewable sources but climate change is bringing huge challenges
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The pros and cons of solar energy
Pros and cons Solar power could become the primary source of electricity worldwide by 2050 – but there are still clouds in the forecast
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
Is America running out of electrical power?
Today's Big Question The nation's power grid appears to be reaching critical levels due to emerging technologies
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The push for net zero
The Explainer Britain has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. What will this involve?
By The Week Staff Published