A former government economist has revealed a promising prospect for the UK: by significantly increasing its clean electricity generation, the country could become a major exporter of energy to mainland Europe, unlocking a staggering £70 billion every year. According to a new report, if Britain surpasses its current projections and boosts clean electricity generation by 50% for 2050, it could emerge as a clean energy superpower, capable of exporting £17 billion worth of green electricity to Europe annually.
Furthermore, this ambitious goal to generate surplus green electricity, surpassing the requirements of the UK's climate targets, carries significant additional benefits. The report suggests that achieving this objective could lead to the creation of an impressive 279,000 new British jobs, while supporting a total of 654,000 jobs across the country's clean energy industries.
The analysis, conducted by former government economist Chris Walker on behalf of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Development, highlights the plausibility of the UK transforming itself from a net energy importer to a prominent exporter of green electricity. By taking the lead in the global race to achieve “net zero” emissions, the UK has the potential to attract trillions of pounds in private investment, effectively doubling the predicted annual economic benefit of £35 billion.
However, seizing this “once in a lifetime opportunity” is contingent upon the removal of barriers that currently hinder the UK's green energy ambitions, as emphasized in the report. Government policymakers must take decisive actions to ensure the nation's clean energy aspirations are not impeded. The report argues that the UK's robust competitive advantages in clean energy generation uniquely position it to excel in the race to achieve net zero. It asserts that essential public policy decisions, backed by private sector investments, are vital to secure the necessary funding and capitalize on the country's strengths.
The report also draws attention to the challenges faced by the National Grid, which is struggling to accommodate the influx of new clean energy projects seeking grid connections. Over the past decade, the number of applications has surged from 50 per year to a staggering 50 per month. As a result, many projects face substantial delays of 10 to 15 years before they can contribute clean electricity to the UK energy system. Urgent intervention is required to address this issue and ensure a smooth integration of clean energy sources.
In addition to addressing grid connectivity challenges, the government should intervene to facilitate the establishment of an adequate battery storage infrastructure for renewable electricity. Furthermore, a market for producing green hydrogen must be created, and measures should be taken to enhance the energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock and commercial buildings through retrofitting.
Jason Longhurst, chair of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Development, recognizes the immense potential of the UK in generating vast amounts of clean energy. By becoming a nation that exports significant quantities of clean power—worth £17 billion annually—to mainland Europe, the UK can position itself as an attractive investment market for companies tackling climate change. Longhurst asserts that the report provides a solid evidence base to enable the government to introduce new incentives, leverage further private sector investments, and cement the UK's position as a global leader in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
With the opportunity to unlock substantial economic growth, increase productivity, and strengthen its clean energy industries, the UK must seize this potential and embark on a path to surpassing net zero emissions. By doing so, it can not only secure its own future but also contribute significantly to the global effort to combat climate change.
