RenewableUK is urging the UK Government to commit to a specific deployment target for onshore wind of 30GW by 2030 in the run-up to COP26 in November.
In “Raising the bar: the world-leading energy commitments the UK should make ahead of COP26” the association said the Prime Minister’s new target of slashing emissions by 78% by 2035, and reaching net zero emissions by 2050, can only be achieved by setting out clear milestones to be met by 2030.
It details the economic opportunities in renewable energy development in the UK, and the “international significance” of the UK clarifying its clean energy targets ahead of COP26.
RenewableUK is urging the newly elected Governments in Scotland and Wales to outline complementary 2030 onshore wind targets to support an overarching 30GW ambition for the UK.
Most future projects will be sited in Scotland and Wales, so both Governments have a “vital role to play in encouraging other countries around the world to utilise their vast wind resources ahead of COP26”, said the trade body.
As well as building new projects, the report highlights the need for policies which enable developers to make the most of existing wind farms by repowering older turbines with modern technology.
The Government has already set a target of 1GW of floating wind by 2030 – but the industry wants to aim higher and double this within that timeframe to reach 2GW, said the report.
The report found the UK already has a head start in the global race to scale up the production of renewable hydrogen, with trials underway such as the Gigastack project in the Humber and “world-class” electrolyser manufacturers like ITM Power.
RenewableUK urged ministers to set a minimum target of 5GW of green hydrogen electrolyser capacity by 2030.
“This will help to provide clean fuel for sectors which have proved difficult to decarbonise so far, such as shipping and heat for heavy industry,” it said.
The report also calls for the Government to set a 1GW target for marine energy. Through the learning, innovation and economies of scale that
comes with deploying new projects, studies suggest that after developing 1GW of marine energy, the cost of the technology will fall to the level of other mainstream forms of low carbon generation such as nuclear power.
To drive investment and development, marine energy needs a revenue support mechanism and ministers are considering ways to ensure future CfD auctions support the development of marine technologies.
RenewableUK said it supports this, and is also recommending additional measures to support private-sector investment in marine energy to speed up the growth of the sector.
RenewableUK head of public affairs Nathan Bennett (pictured) said: “The UK has one of the strongest records on decarbonisation in the world.
“But to get to net zero emissions as fast as possible and ensure we’re maximising jobs and investment, the Government needs to set out a detailed roadmap with specific milestones for the key renewable technologies which will get us there – starting with targets for 2030.
“We must ensure there are no gaps in our own ambitions if we’re to set the agenda for the rest of the world.”