Posted on: 10/09/2024
This week's energy news headlines: The UK’s pipeline of onshore wind projects has grown significantly; Power imports from the continent are costing more than £250m a month; The UK’s last operational coal power station will close later this month. Our industry round-up includes the latest updates from Government departments and energy regulators.
The Government has published the latest decisions on energy infrastructure development applications.
Scottish Renewables has published an open letter to Ofgem calling for a review of the current grid securities and liabilities regime that it says is threatening to overburden and jeopardise Scottish renewable generation projects.
The latest monthly data on the number of certificates issued for generation under the Renewables Obligation have been published.
Ofgem has launched a consultation on the principles and methodologies that will underpin the National Energy System Operator Financial Handbook and will apply in the implementation and operation of the NESO Financial Model. It closes on 4 October.
The UK’s pipeline of onshore wind projects is expanding rapidly, according to new figures.
Data from RenewableUK found that projects at all stage of development have grown by 4.2GW since last September, from 38.5GW to 42.7GW.
The EnergyPulse Onshore Wind Report forecasts that if all projects in the pipeline are built within the currently expected timeframes, up to 27.8GW of capacity could be operational by 2030, including repowering older projects with new turbines.
RenewableUK’s Head of Policy James Robottom said: “The UK has a healthy pipeline of onshore wind projects which will enable us to boost Britain’s energy security and cut consumer bills by using one of our cheapest sources of new power. But to do this we will have to deliver new projects faster.”
Power imports from the continent cost Britain more than £250m a month in the second quarter of the year.
Figures from the latest Drax Electric Insights report show electricity imports have reached record levels, with 19.8% of demand met by overseas sources over the three months to June.
More than a tenth of electricity came from France alone. Overall, Britain imported 12.2 TWh last quarter, more than the country’s nuclear output (10.7 TWh), and close to total production from fossil fuels (13.6 TWh).
Dr Iain Staffell of Imperial College London, who leads the quarterly Drax Electric Insights report, said: “Fewer dispatchable generators means less competition and higher prices, making cheaper electricity from the continent much more attractive to import.
“The government must be mindful of the need to retain sufficient dispatchable generation capacity on our system for both energy security and affordability reasons as it works towards its ambition of having a clean power grid by 2030.”
The UK’s last operational coal power station is set to close at the end of this month.
Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, commissioned in 1967, has four 500MW units and is capable of producing enough electricity to power more than two million homes. It received its final delivery of coal over the summer.
There are plans for the site to become a zero-carbon technology and energy hub with the potential to create up to 8,000 jobs.
Coal used to generate a third of Britain’s power, but since the electricity system has decarbonised its contribution to the country’s power mix has reduced rapidly.
Ofgem has awarded £84m to 12 energy innovation projects addressing issues including how to harness more renewable power and improve affordability for consumers.
The funding has been granted under the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) which is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
As well as providing financial, environmental and societal benefits, the projects will also support efforts to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
The Ofgem funding will enable testing of innovation at a scale that can support future commercialisation and integration into the UK energy networks.
Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director of Digitalisation and Innovation at Ofgem, said: “From addressing issues of resilience and affordability for billpayers, to harnessing the potential of homegrown renewable power and flexible energy use we are delighted to take these ideas to the next level.”
The solar power industry has welcomed news that the UK’s largest project has been given the go-ahead.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has approved the 600MW Cottam solar farm on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border.
Stephen Wilding, Director of Business Development at industry body Solar Energy UK, said: “This announcement is another step in the right direction towards a sustainably-powered solar nation, offering a more secure and affordable energy system.”
The Government’s decision follows the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate, which found that “there is a convincing case” for Cottam, stating that is would make a “significant contribution to the urgent need for low carbon electricity generation”.
The UK Government has a target of 50GW of solar capacity by 2030.
United States
Australia
