BEIS lauds ‘reliable’ renewables

Fears that the UK power system would not be able to cope with intermittent technologies, such as wind and solar, have been “overblown”, according to BEIS Secretary Greg Clark.

Clark (pictured), who was speaking at the annual Energy UK conference, said “doubters have been proven wrong” with the country now receiving 14% of its electricity from intermittent sources and “electricity supply remains the most reliable in Europe”.

But he added that intermittent technologies do add some costs and so government and regulators need a system that can “both better manage intermittency and take advantages of the innovations in storage, demand-side response, interconnection and IT to create a truly smart energy system”.

Clark noted that these issues have been recognised in Energy UK’s 2030 pathways work to ensure “hardware is fit for purpose”.

He highlighted the roll of smart technologies, such as meters, in reducing costs and announced a “call for evidence” in partnership with Ofgem on ways to widen the application of smart technology.

“The aim is to harness the potential of storage, demand side response and other technologies to create the most efficient, most productive electricity system in the world,” Clarke said.

“This means reassessing regulation which is biased against storage and aggregators so they can compete on a level playing field with large-scale generation,” he said.

“If we do this right, a smart system could save consumers up to £40bn in the coming decades.”

Clark also recognised how renewables technologies, such as offshore wind, are helping to build “world-leading centres” across the country.

He said: “Along the east coast we are seeing new businesses being established and prospering. Hull, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool have welcomed major manufacturing facilities.

“Great Yarmouth‘s deepwater harbour was chosen as the assembly base for the East Anglia 1 offshore project.

“The Humber is becoming the location of choice for operators to service the giant wind farms off the east coast.”

Clark added that the development of these “centres of excellence will help the UK create the sophisticated supply chains across the country in sectors that have significant potential to grow”.

Image: BEIS