Guy Newey, Chief Executive Officer at Energy Systems Catapult: said “To reach Net Zero by 2050, we need to accelerate the pace of innovation across the energy sector. This is crucial if the UK is to reinforce its position as a ‘green’ market leader where clean tech innovators thrive.
“The government’s decision to accept Nick Winser’s recommendations to slash the time it takes to deliver strategic transmission lines will benefit domestic energy innovators. This pivotal will level the innovation playing field, spur investment in clean tech, and deliver the low carbon energy we need to meet Net Zero.
“Earlier this year, the Winser Report – authored by Nick Winser CBE and supported by a detailed companion report by Energy Systems Catapult – set out plans to halve the time it takes to deliver strategic transmission lines from 14 years to seven – an all-important ingredient if we’re to rapidly increase our reliance on low carbon technologies and energy.
“The government’s acceptance of these recommendations is a victory for consumers and clean energy innovators, delivering reduced transmission costs and accelerating the pace of green infrastructure investment.
“This decision is a step forward in the national mission to accelerate innovation, reduce emissions, increase our use of low carbon energy, and cut the time it takes to build much-needed energy infrastructure.
“The current process is complex and involves many different actors. Every part of the process can be dramatically improved. The Autumn Statement, taken with Ofgem’s decision to introduce Regional Energy Strategic Planners, can be a catalyst for the Net Zero energy transformation. “We have worked with the government to review and scrutinise their analysis of the investment impact of implementing the recommendations and reforming the grid connection process.”
“Notable by its absence was any announcement on Carbon Policy – despite some trialling in the media. This means there’s still work to do to align the incentives across the UK economy with the Net Zero target, as well as creating the right conditions for UK industry to be able to compete on a level playing field with producers that do not face the same pressure to reduce emissions.”
Electricity Networks Commissioner and Energy Systems Catapult chair, Nick Winser CBE, commented: “The Chancellor’s decision to accept the recommendations in my report is welcome and a major step towards slashing the time it takes to deliver strategic electricity transmission lines – which is so vital to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
“Delivering 50GW of new wind power and 24GW of new nuclear will be a major step towards decarbonising our economy and providing customers with clean, secure, affordable electricity, but that magnificent achievement is wasted if we cannot get the power to homes and businesses.
“The Electricity Networks Commissioner report supported by a detailed companion report by Energy Systems Catapult – set out plans to halve the time it takes to deliver strategic transmission lines from 14 years to seven – an all-important ingredient if we’re to rapidly increase our reliance on low carbon technologies and energy.
“The UK has been world leading in stimulating investment in generation from renewables in recent decades, but this has not been matched with investment in electricity transmission networks. The current process is complex and involves many different actors. Every part of the process can be dramatically improved. The package of measures in the Autumn Statement, taken with Ofgem’s decision to introduce Regional Energy Strategic Planners, can be a catalyst for the Net Zero energy transformation.
“The government’s acceptance of these recommendations is great news for consumers, delivering reduced transmission costs and accelerating the pace of renewable deployment. “Now is the time to take action to implement these recommendations, increase our use of low carbon energy, and cut the time it takes to build much-needed energy infrastructure.”
