UK grid operator calls for 47GW of solar by 2030, deployed at 4.6GW per year – pv magazine International

November 5, 2024
Matthew Lynas

UK solar capacity would need to triple by 2030 to meet net zero targets, according to new advice to the UK government from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Published on November 5, 2024, the Clean Power in 2030 report lists 47 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030 as one of the key features of a carbon-free grid. The latest capacity figures published by the government record of 17.1 GW on 31 September 2024.

The UK government has committed to decarbonising the UK’s electricity grid by 2030, and in August 2024 tasked the electricity system operator with providing “practical advice” on how to go about it. In response, NESO made a number of recommendations on how to decarbonise the grid in the government’s timeframe. The solar advice includes a tripling of annual capacity additions, with NESO suggesting that 4.6 GW could be deployed each year from 2025 to meet clean energy targets.

NESO’s recommendations also include adding at least 18 GW more rated capacity to the UK’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) fleet by 2030. The system operator’s analysis shows an increase in BESS rated capacity from 5 GW in 2023 to 23 GW to 27 GW in 2030. – Duration of energy storage was also described as key, potentially doubling by 2030 from 3 GW in 2023 to 5 GW to 8 GW.

In total, NESO believes that achieving a clean energy system in 2030 will require approximately 210 GW to 220 GW of installed generation and storage capacity from a diverse mix of technologies. Offshore wind will be the “bedrock” of Britain’s clean energy system, according to NESO, but solar and onshore wind combined account for 29% of generation.

Grid connection reform was also highlighted by NESO in its advice to government. The grid operator has published a new consultation with proposals for speeding up transmission-level connections, as well as for generation and storage projects connecting to distribution networks that also impact transmission. Proposes criteria and processes for reducing and reordering the UK grid connection queue, moving from a first-come, first-served approach to one that prioritizes projects based on project readiness, as well as locational and technical network needs.

In terms of flexibility, NESO argues that there is a need for increased demand flexibility and flexible markets. In July 2024, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) revealed that network operators had tendered a record 6.4 GW of capacity on UK local flexibility markets in 2023, with 4 GW contracted – a world record according to the association. The NESO Pathways to 2030 envisions further progress. The grid operator also envisages demand flexibility of 10 GW to 12 GW by 2030 driven by the adoption of smart EV charging, time-varying household demand and more responsive industrial demand.

The network operator’s analysis concludes that the government’s clean energy target by 2030 is a “huge challenge” but achievable in the UK by 2030. It finds that overall system costs should not increase and that measures such as improving efficiency could lead to lower electricity bills. for consumers.

Other key steps set out by NESO include ensuring a “radical reduction” in the time it takes to get planning consent in the UK, increased digitalisation and reform of investment support schemes.

The UK government is expected to consider NESO’s advice before publishing its own clean energy plan later in 2024.

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