On 13 December 2024, DESNZ published its much anticipated Clean Power 2030 Action Plan (the Plan), outlining the UK's comprehensive strategy to secure a sustainable and resilient power system by 2030.

The Plan is a bold and comprehensive strategy that aims to secure a sustainable and resilient energy system for the UK by 2030. Through ambitious targets, significant investments and a focus on innovation and flexibility, the plan sets the stage for a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future.

Ambitious renewable targets

Designed to significantly reduce the UK's dependency on fossil fuels, the Plan sets ambitious targets for renewable energy capacity:

• Offshore wind: 43-50 GW .
• Onshore wind: 27-29 GW 
• Solar power: 45-47 GW

Complementing these efforts, the Plan also set targets for:

• Flexible capacity: 23-27 GW of battery storage
• Long-duration energy storage (LDES): 4-6 GW of LDES in total by 2030
• Development of flexibility technologies:  CCUS, hydrogen, and consumer-led flexibility.

Economic investment and benefits

The Plan anticipates a once-in-a-generation level of energy investment, with an estimated £40 billion per year on average between 2025 and 2030. The Plan states that by protecting electricity consumers from volatile gas prices, these investments aim to reduce consumer bills and foster new industries and employment opportunities, ensuring lasting economic benefits from clean power.

The plan outlines several key areas for investment:

• Renewable energy projects: Significant funding will be directed towards expanding offshore and onshore wind farms, as well as solar power installations.
• Energy storage solutions: Investments in battery storage and LDES technologies will enhance the flexibility and reliability of the power grid.
• Grid infrastructure: Upgrading and expanding the grid infrastructure is crucial to accommodate the increased capacity from renewable sources and ensure efficient energy distribution.
• Innovation and technology: Funding will support the development and deployment of advanced technologies such as hydrogen production, CCUS, and other flexibility solutions.
• Local community support: Investments will also focus on supporting local communities during the transition, ensuring that the economic benefits of clean energy are widely distributed.

The plan also lays the groundwork for decarbonizing the wider economy by 2050.

The Plan, whilst unquestionably forward looking and ambitious, faces several significant challenges. Top of this list include the rapid deployment of critical infrastructure projects, securing the desired investments, and ensuring continuous technological advancements in renewable energy and storage solutions. 

In order to achieve the Plan's aims, DESNZ will need to work in close collaboration with devolved governments, industry, and trade unions to maintain a supportive regulatory and policy framework, address supply chain and workforce issues, integrate environmental and social considerations, and balance energy security.