RENEWABLES FOR BRITAIN

By TODD CARNEY Writer, Freelance

ENERGYCENTRAL - May 12, 2023 - Europe has received a lot of positive and negative attention for its attempts at expanding its renewable energy. According to the BBC, some of the most ambitious programs could be on hold due to the potential inability to comply with the United Kingdom’s electricity system.

There are new systems for solar and wind that may have to wait as long as 15 years because they cannot “connect” with UK systems. Some renewable companies in the UK say it could threaten the UK’s goals on sustainability. The UK wants to have 100 percent of its electricity now produce carbon emissions.

In order to meet this goal, the UK must produce five times as much solar and four times more wind. The government and renewable energy companies have already spent about 200 billion pounds on infrastructure for renewable energy since 2010. Some renewable energy companies are saying that a lot of this spending could be wasted because of these delays.

Additionally, the BBC estimated that there is 200 billion pounds in more energy projects waiting in renewable energy projects. While critics of renewable energy might argue that this is largely a waste of money, for anyone who believes in renewable energy, part of the answer to making these sources work is for there to be more money invested. Estimates show that the UK has the longest delays in terms of development for energy projects.

Some companies and local governments had already started constructing projects related to the projects that will not comply with the electric system. As a result, these projects have had to be paused midway and are waiting for future approval. People involved in these local projects are frustrated, and are calling for greater reforms in order to prevent unnecessary delays to projects related to renewable energy, and also broader infrastructure projects.

The British government has pledged a new plan to ensure that approval is sped up. Part of this plan includes letting the National Grid raise energy prices further to gain an additional 20 billion pounds. British energy companies have already seen their energy prices skyrocket due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The problems in this article display issues that critics have with renewable energy. That the process is too bureaucratic and that it will cost consumers a lot more money. Of course, it would be a mistake to make conclusions about energy based on one country. But these examples serve as a data point nonetheless. It is important to further evaluate the problems with the UK, and compare them to other countries.

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