Solar Energy UK
Immediate release
20.10.2021
Solar Energy UK responds to UK government’s Net Zero Strategy.
‘We welcome the publication of the much anticipated Net Zero Strategy and are pleased to see that the government recognises the centrality of solar and onshore renewable energy to delivering net zero at the lowest cost to consumers. We also welcome the commitment to reviewing the frequency of renewable energy auctions to accelerate deployment, which we have long been pressing for.
We are however disappointed to see that despite the recognition of the centrality of solar in the clean energy transition, there are little to no new commitments to accelerate the deployment of this essential technology in line with the Sixth Carbon Budget and the Climate Change Committee’s assessment of what is needed to deliver net zero by 2050.
The UK solar industry is moving from strength to strength, and our analysis shows the sector is on track to double over the coming decade. However, solar deployment must treble by 2030 if the UK is to stay on track to deliver its net zero targets. This will require significant additional policy support from the government. We have detailed exactly how this government can deliver the necessary increase in deployment in our recent report entitled ‘Lighting the Way’.’
Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, said: “Solar energy is now one of the lowest hanging fruits of the energy transition, but the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy seems determined to emphasise far more exotic and, in some cases, unproven options. Thankfully, investors, the energy sector and their consumers will be making more rational decisions, and these investments will dwarf anything the Treasury offers up in the Budget.”
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