UK Clean power by 2030 is challenging but achievable, says report

A new report from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) affirms that Britain can achieve a fully decarbonized electricity system by 2030 with the right reforms and investment, despite the challenge this target represents.

Commissioned by the Energy Secretary, the "Clean Power 2030" analysis highlights that reaching this goal will require around £40 billion (USD 51.9bn/EUR 47.6bn) in annual investment, achievable without raising consumer costs, compromising supply security, or undermining job creation and local economic growth.

The report calls for urgent action across industry, government, and regulators to build the infrastructure needed for clean power generation, networks, and flexibility. This includes NESO’s new grid connection reform consultation, which proposes reordering the connections queue to fast-track projects.

NESO CEO Fintan Slye emphasized the benefits of a clean power system for Britain, noting it will provide home-grown energy, insulate the country from international gas price volatility, and power homes, transport, and businesses reliably and affordably.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband echoed the report’s optimism, stating that achieving clean power by 2030 will deliver both a more secure and cheaper energy system. He highlighted the government's commitment to advancing the planning and grid reforms necessary to support this "once-in-a-generation" transformation.

Meanwhile, National Infrastructure Commission Chair John Armitt underscored the importance of flexibility in both generation and consumer behavior as essential to a resilient, low-carbon energy future. RenewableUK, welcoming the roadmap, urged for a complementary industrial strategy to foster domestic supply chains and compete with the EU and the US for clean energy investments, creating thousands of UK jobs.