How will the UK meet its Net Zero targets?

Britain's net-zero carbon target is one of the world's most ambitious. HeatElectric welcomes the Government Mission Net Zero Independent Review.  The enabling technology for alternative energy has come of age – and it will only get better.  The Report’s findings cover off a framework of asks and ambitions, but it is clear that these changes in the behaviour of households, businesses and more will need legislative backing to get the desired results over the line. 

The Report, led by the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore OBE, records that the costs for renewable technologies have fallen dramatically and their use will reduce overall costs.  It goes on to say that in the last decade, costs for solar PVs and onshore wind in the UK have come down by 78% and 36%, respectively.  For most of the world’s population, solar and onshore wind are the cheapest source of new-build power generation, and most renewable technologies are now cheaper than coal-powered plants.  Once installed, renewable energy generation typically needs no further fuel and therefore reduces dependence on volatile fuel prices. Modelling by the International Energy Agency estimates that achieving net zero will reduce the impact of fossil fuel price shocks on household energy bills.

This Independent Review of Net Zero is encouraging.  We have all waited a long time for reliable, consistent renewable energy systems we can have confidence in.  This Report was commissioned in September 2022, to ask how the UK could better meet its net zero commitments, taking account of these global changes. It was commissioned also to ask how the UK might deliver its own net zero targets in a manner that was both more affordable, more efficient, and in a pro-business and pro-enterprise way.  Mr Skidmore’s introduction to the Report states that net zero, decarbonisation and clean energy growth will only happen if it delivers the economic benefits that can demonstrate to the whole of society the true value of the energy transition. So what is net zero and how can we get there?  Well it’s backed by serious investment and the sort of measures that are forecast to avoid ‘catastrophic’ temperature rise.  The Energy Saving Trust cites Heating as the single biggest contributor to emissions.  Looking after where and how we live must change, and change will come at a cost.  We are investing in the future – for people, planet and place.  It’s the right thing to do.

The Government this month (February 2023)  set up a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, led by Grant Shapps as its Secretary of State. The message is, we CAN have it all, but we have to make some changes.  The good news is that with alternative energy improvements and more intelligent energy storage, these positive steps are within reach and will bring bills down.