Energy companies, renewables groups and industry players have given a mixed reaction to the UK government’s policy pledges as part of ‘Energy Security Day’.
The policies do not go far enough to attract much-needed investment in renewables, according to RenewableUK.
The trade body’s executive director of policy Ana Musat said the sector needs bolder action to secure a clean energy future for the country.
RenewableUK had called for several measures, including investment support and changes to the Electricity Generator Levy for wind projects that secured CfDs last year but have since been hit by major price increases.
The government has not addressed the issue in today’s policy announcements.
“The Government has highlighted some important steps forward in existing policies and schemes, but we need much more than a ‘business as usual’ approach to kickstart investment on the level we need to boost energy security, cut consumer bills and reach net zero,” said Musat.
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, said: “We are at a pivotal moment in our fight against climate change and in the growth of clean energy within the UK.
“We have been calling on the government to pay close attention to the developing global race for renewables and to respond accordingly through ambitious policy change.”
To “unlock the clean energy revolution” in the UK, Hue called for an increase in the budget for the next Contract for Difference auction round.
“This would be a boost to the renewables industry and result in a greater volume of projects coming through with positive impacts on industrialisation, energy security and consumers bills.”
Merlin Hyman, CEO, Regen, said the Energy Security Day was a “pivotal opportunity” for the government to “ratchet up” action towards a clean energy future.
He added that among the welcomed re-commitments to address critical barriers to clean energy investment such as electricity network infrastructure and planning for renewable projects, the announcements today suggest the government is “placing its bets on unproven and costly technologies”, whilst allowing the investment climate for proven low-cost renewables to deteriorate.
Nina Skorupska CEO of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) said: “Despite positive moves that will get vital renewable technologies delivered, we still need stronger ambitions to cement the UK’s position as a world leader in our sector.
“The UK is now in an international race for investment and needs to keep pace, as well as urgently delivering on Net Zero ambitions.”
Regarding energy storage Chris Wickins, Field’s Technical Director said that beyond the UK British Infrastructure Bank stepping up its focus, “specific mention of the energy storage sector is conspicuously absent”.
He said: “To meet net zero and build a reliable, flexible and green grid, we need to massively invest in energy storage, alongside wind and solar generation.
“While we welcome the focus on the infrastructure needed to reach net zero in here today – especially efforts to speed up planning processes – it seems storage has somehow fallen off the grid.
“We’d also have liked to see more on investment in the grid that’s needed to connect the generators supported today.
“National Grid and Ofgem have been making good progress on grid connection reform here and the Government would do well to throw their weight behind that crucial initiative.”