Ed Miliband, the UK’s energy secretary, has announced the government’s “clean power 2030” plan, which aims to boost the country’s renewable energy supply and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The plan includes measures such as building solar panel canopies on outdoor car parks and speeding up planning decisions for clean energy projects.
Miliband has assured that the transition to clean energy is “unstoppable” and that the UK will not face blackouts under Labour’s proposed shake-up of energy supply. He also addressed concerns about energy security, stating that the plan will help the country avoid the cost-of-living crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The plan has been welcomed by both the energy industry and environmental groups, with the latter urging the government to prioritize renewable energy development over carbon capture projects. This comes as the UK has recently relied heavily on gas and biomass due to low wind and solar power generation.
Miliband also addressed the US turning back towards fossil fuels under President Trump, stating that the transition to clean energy is unstoppable regardless of one government or country’s actions.
The plan includes bringing back onshore windfarms into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime in England, which will streamline planning processes for important and large-scale projects. This move has been met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming the streamlining of processes and others expressing concerns about the impact on local communities.
Overall, the “clean power 2030” plan is a significant step towards reducing the UK’s carbon footprint and increasing its renewable energy supply. It remains to be seen how effective the measures will be in achieving these goals and what impact they will have on the country’s energy landscape.