Government sets out plans to upgrade UK energy infrastructure
Published by Angharad Lock,
Digital Assistant Editor
World Coal,
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to spend £730 million of annual support on renewable electricity projects over this parliament. At the next Contracts for Difference auction companies will compete for the first £290 million worth of contracts for renewable electricity projects.
The second Contracts for Difference auction is expected to result in enough renewable electricity to power around one million homes and reduce carbon emissions by around 2.5 million tpy from 2021/22 onwards.
The Government has also set out proposals for the next steps to phase out electricity generation from unabated coal-fired power stations within the next decade. This long-term plan will provide confidence to investors that the UK is open to investors in new, cleaner energy capacity as we transition from coal to gas, and build a diverse energy system giving us greater security of supply, which includes record investments in renewable technology and the reliable electricity that new nuclear power investment will provide.
Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark, commented: “We’re sending a clear signal that Britain is one of the best places in the world to invest in clean, flexible energy as we continue to upgrade our energy infrastructure. This is a key part of our upcoming Industrial Strategy, which will provide companies with the further support they need to innovate as we build a diverse energy system fit for the 21st century that is reliable while keeping bills down for our families and businesses.”
These are essential elements of the Government’s plan to upgrade the UK’s energy infrastructure. Taking unabated coal power out of our energy mix and replacing it with cleaner technology, such as gas, will significantly reduce emissions from the UK’s energy use. The government first announced its intention to take unabated coal out of the energy mix in November 2015.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/10112016/government-sets-out-plans-to-upgrade-uk-energy-infrastructure/
You might also like
Coal exit and workforce shortages keep short-term Australian power prices high
Cornwall Insight has reported that the ongoing phase-out of coal facilities and the sluggish progress in launching new renewable energy projects is poised to push Australian electricity prices higher until 2030.