The UK’s new energy strategy means that up to eight more nuclear reactors could be approved on existing sites.
There are also plans to increase hydrogen, solar and wind production in an effort to improve UK energy independence and tackle rising prices.
According to the BBC, the Government’s plans mean up to 95% of the UK’s electricity could come from low-carbon sources by 2030 with up to 50 gigawatts (GW) of energy through offshore wind farms – more than enough to power every home in the UK.
The government’s energy strategy has been much-delayed, with one of the big points of contention reported to have been the construction of onshore wind turbines.
Highlights from the energy strategy:
- Nuclear – The government plans to reduce the UK’s reliance on oil and gas by building up to eight new nuclear reactors.
- Wind – The government aims to reform planning laws to speed up approvals for new offshore wind farms. For onshore wind farms it wants to develop partnerships with “supportive communities” who want to host turbines in exchange for guaranteed cheaper energy bills.
- Hydrogen – Targets for hydrogen production are being doubled to help provide cleaner energy for industry as well as for power, transport and potentially heating.
- Solar – The government will consider reforming rules for installing solar panels on homes and commercial buildings to help increase the current solar capacity by up to five times by 2035.
- Oil and gas – A new licensing round for North Sea projects is being launched in the summer on the basis that producing gas in the UK has a lower carbon footprint than doing so abroad.
- Heat pumps – There will be a £30m “heat pump investment accelerator competition” to make British heat pumps which reduce demand for gas.
