To meet its ambitious net-zero emissions target, the UK is facing a monumental task: deploying an average of 15.5GW of new renewable energy every year. Despite significant obstacles like supply chain issues and permitting delays, a solution may be within reach. Harnessing solar and onshore wind energy on less than 3% of its land could provide the substantial boost needed for the country’s renewable energy goals.
Slow Progress on Decarbonisation Goals
Despite growth in the renewable energy sector, the UK’s clean energy expansion is not keeping pace with its ambitious climate goals. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires a significant increase in clean energy deployment, yet progress is being held back by a slow policy environment.
Political obstacles have slowed the UK’s decarbonization progress, including bans on onshore wind projects and delays in transitioning from gas and diesel vehicles. Measures to improve energy efficiency in buildings also faced setbacks under former Prime Minister David Cameron and current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
As a result of these delays, a recent analysis by AtkinsRealis indicates that the UK must now deploy an average of 15.5GW of clean energy per year to meet its targets.
This figure is particularly concerning when compared to past performance. The UK has never added more than 6.5GW of new low-carbon capacity in a single year—a record set in 2017, according to a report by Edie.
Rapid Expansion Needed on a Tight Timeline
Ideally, the pace of deployment should have been increasing each year to stay on course. The UK has a legally binding commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, supported by carbon budgets aligned with the 2050 target. There is also a newer pledge to eliminate all unabated fossil fuels from the national energy mix by 2035.
However, the UK now has less time to complete a much larger buildout, posing major challenges for a seamless energy transition. A rapid expansion of wind and solar energy within this compressed timeframe creates significant hurdles.
According to reports by Edie, these challenges include supply chain management, complex planning and permitting processes, and the need for a sufficiently skilled workforce.
This accelerated buildout is also complicated by contentious land-use agreements, which often require time to resolve. The alternative is a prolonged reliance on unabated gas, which would ultimately jeopardize climate progress.
There’s Hope For a Cleaner UK
There is encouraging news, however, about England’s renewable energy potential. By using less than 3% of its total land area for solar and onshore wind — the most cost-effective renewable sources — the country could increase its renewable energy output 13-fold.
This finding comes from recent research conducted by Exeter University and commissioned by Friends of the Earth (FoE). According to their study, England could add 130 terawatt hours of photovoltaic solar capacity and 96 terawatt hours of onshore wind capacity, on top of the 17 terawatt hours currently generated from all on-land clean energy sources combined.
Image: Collected
The study excluded land unsuitable for clean energy projects, such as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, prime agricultural land, and heritage sites. Rooftop solar panels—which require no additional undeveloped land—were also left out of these figures. The proposed sites suitable for large-scale solar and wind farms are illustrated on an interactive map.
Addressing Possible Challenges
Although meeting the UK’s climate commitments is entirely feasible, it is not without its challenges. Tony Bosworth, a climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, highlighted the UK’s potential to generate affordable, clean, domestic renewable energy.
He stressed that doing so is essential for permanently lowering energy costs and meeting the target of reducing carbon emissions by two-thirds by 2030.
However, Bosworth criticized the current government’s inadequate efforts to enhance energy security through renewables, asserting that the UK trails far behind in the global transition to a zero-carbon economy.
He also expressed concerns about the Labour Party’s wavering commitment to climate action after scaling back its planned investments in green growth.
Ultimately, achieving the UK’s net-zero emissions goal requires a massive and immediate increase in clean energy deployment. While political and logistical challenges persist and progress on decarbonization has been slow, the potential for solar and wind energy offers a clear path forward.
Realizing this potential and securing a sustainable future, however, will demand decisive action to overcome policy inertia and secure the necessary investment in the UK’s renewable infrastructure.