06/12/2024
Welcome to our December Energy Matters Newsletter.
The energy sector is a rapidly changing market with daily updates on technological advances, regulatory reviews, policy updates, funding decisions. In each edition of our Energy Matters Newsletter, we aim to provide a user-friendly, summary update of some of the key issues we are seeing across the renewable energy and resource management sectors.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised, please contact a member of our energy team.
Energy Spotlight
NESO Clean Power 2030 (CP30) report
On Tuesday 5 November the National Energy System Operator (NESO) has published its Clean Power 2030 report, affirming that a clean energy system by 2030 is achievable and outlining a comprehensive framework for the transition. This is NESO’s first report as a strategic advisor to the Government and Ofgem since its formation a few months ago.
The report purports that it is possible to build, connect and operate a clean power system is achievable by 2030 but it will be a huge challenge. It will require significant changes and will only be achieved by “prioritising pace over perfection and by working together across the industry towards a shared vision”.
To achieve this, the report outlines two primary CP2030 pathways:
· No new dispatchable power from hydrogen or gas with carbon capture and building 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 (“Further Flex and Renewables”)
· New dispatchable plants (totalling 2.7GW) and building 43GW offshore wind (“New Dispatch”).
The government is expected to consider NESO’s advice in preparing its CP2030 Action Plan which is expected to be published later this year. A NESO says, delivery needs to continue at full pace if 2030 is going to be achievable.
For further information read Tim Kittow’s article on NESO’s ambitions advice to government on achieving clean Power by 2030.
Overview Quick Links
Carbon capture usage / storage
District heat / energy
Help to save households money and deliver cleaner heat to homes
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 21 November 2024
Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and deliver warmer, cleaner to heat homes, with up to 300,000 homes to benefit from upgrades next year.
Heat pump scheme completed in Edwardian social housing
Guardian 18 November 2024
The scheme was completed in late autumn as part of a refurbishment of the more than 100-year-old block of flats, confounding the myths around the UK’s heat pump roll out, such as claims that they do not work in older buildings.
Ofgem consultation on authorisation and regulatory oversight of heat networks
Ofgem 8 November 2024
Ofgem are consulting on proposals for the authorisation and regulatory oversight of heat networks in England, Scotland, and Wales (Great Britain). These proposals include how we will approach monitoring, audit, compliance and enforcement of authorised persons.
Consultation on Heat networks regulation
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 7 November 2024
DESNZ and Ofgem have launched a joint consultation on implementing consumer protection requirements within the heat networks regulatory framework.
Solar
Plans for 3,700 acres of solar panels on farmland
BBC News 16 November 2024
Kingsway Solar wants to install the panels on three parcels of land in south Cambridgeshire and build 14km (8.6 miles) of overhead power lines.
Brookfield acquires Atrato Onsite Energy in £220 million deal
Solar Power Portal 8 November 2024
Brookfield Asset Management has acquired Atrato Onsite Energy’s commercial and residential rooftop solar portfolio.
DCO decision on 480MW West Burton solar NSIP delayed until 2025
Solar Panel Portal 7 November 2024
Solar PV developer Island Green Power has seen a development consent order (DCO) decision delayed by the UK government for its 480MW West Burton project located across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
Electricity and grid
New electricity superhighway greenlit
Ofgem 15 November 2024
A £2 billion funding package has been awarded to build a proposed new subsea and underground 196km cable between Scotland and the north of England which will help boost energy security, cut bills and hit Government green targets.
Fast-tracked grid connections could be in place in months under new proposals
Ofgem 8 November 2024
Ofgem has called on network operators to get renewable, clean power and storage projects connected to the grid faster, whilst providing connecting customers with higher standards of service along the way.
National Grid may speed up two cable projects to meet clean energy goal by 2030
Guardian 7 November 2024
Network hopes to deliver projects across Essex, Norfolk, Kent and Suffolk, crucial to ‘decarbonising’ power system, a year earlier.
Aligning grid connections with strategic plans
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 5 November 2024
Open letter providing clarity and certainty on reforms to the grid connections process.
Labour MPs push back against anti-pylon lobbying despite local opposition
Guardian 3 November 2024
More than 60 Labour MPs have formed a bloc to push back against anti-pylon lobbying by Conservative and Green MPs, saying they back plans to build the pylons despite local opposition in several areas.
Net zero
National Energy System Operator (NESO) publishes its Clean Power 2030 (CP30) report
NESO 5 November 2024
The newly formed National Energy System Operator (NESO) set out its ambitious pathway for Great Britain to have a clean power system by 2030 and become a net exporter of electricity.
UK will seek global coalition for climate action, says Ed Miliband as COP29 ends
Guardian 25 November 2024
The UK will seek a global coalition to push for climate action in Azerbaijan, the UK energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has pledged.
Ofgem is consulting on introducing a new investment fund worth over £5bn
Ofgem 20 November 2024
Ofgem is consulting on introducing a new investment fund worth between £5 billion and £8 billion that will help Britain’s energy transmission owners cut delays, control costs and beat other nations to attract international investment in the drive to net zero.
UK backs clean power innovation to speed up global energy transition
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 15 November 2024
UK spearheads global efforts to combat climate change with a funding package to help developing countries transition to clean energy.
New coal mining licences will be banned
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 14 November 2024
Licensing of new coal mines is set to be restricted as the government commits to bringing in legislation which will prohibit new coal mining projects.
UK government announces new climate goals at COP29, including reducing emissions by 81% by 2035
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 12 November 2024
Prime Minister calls on other countries to bring forward ambitious targets.
NESO Clean Power 2030 advice to Government
National Energy System Operator 5 November 2024
NESO have released comprehensive and independent analysis of how to achieve Clean Power in 2030. This advice was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, as part of the Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
Onshore and offshore wind
National Grid 12 November 2024
Ofgem announced it has approved the Initial Project Assessment for the LionLink and Nautilus electricity interconnectors, which determines the needs case of new projects for British consumers.
Plans for biggest onshore windfarm in England to be submitted
Guardian 5 November 2024
An independent renewable energy developer has submitted plans to erect 21 wind turbines next to an existing windfarm north of Manchester.
Battery storage
Lakeside facility connects to grid and becomes UK’s largest transmission connected battery
National Grid 11 November 2024
A battery storage project developed by TagEnergy is now connected and energised on the electricity transmission network, following work by National Grid to plug the facility into its 132kV Drax substation in North Yorkshire.
Carbon capture usage / storage
Government publishes NPT and cross-border CO2 networks call for evidence response
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 18 November 2024
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published a summary of responses to its May 2024 call for evidence on non-pipeline transport and cross-border CO2 networks for carbon capture, usage and storage.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised, please contact a member of our energy team.
