The quick build times of solar projects make them key to hitting net zero targets. Image: West Burton Solar Project.

A new report from the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) has declared that accelerating the rollout of solar energy is a key step towards hitting the UK’s 2030 clean energy targets.

Titled Rapid Decarbonisation of the GB Electricity System, the report was compiled by an independent working group led by the Royal Academy of Engineering. It sets out six key elements required to achieve the rapid decarbonisation required for net zero goals to be met, including building digitally enabled systems, ensuring that the UK has strong central leadership acable to the prime minister, taking a proactive approach to procurement and regulation, and “grasping the nettles” to fix problems with planning and consenting delays.

The report emphasises the importance of increased solar generation in the move to clean energy, stating that “the sharp ramp up in delivery of decarbonised generation this decade must come primarily from wind and solar capacity, because of their relatively short lead times and ease of scaling”. It also urges the government to “set out its vision for solar and onshore wind early in the Parliament and carry this through to its approach to public engagement and planning”.

Additionally, the report advises that due to the limitations of building new distribution and transmission infrastructure, “it will be helpful for renewable capacity, especially onshore wind and solar, to be added in locations that can readily be accommodated without new transmission lines where possible”.

‘There is no time to waste’

The document also lays out several recommendations for the early days of the new UK government, including setting out clear objectives for the energy transition and an evidence-based vision of how it will be achieved, establishing a dedicated digitalisation delivery unit, and “urgently” establishing “clear, single-point, empowered, cross-government leadership within Mission Control, including a chief engineer role or equivalent”.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, president of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “There is no time to waste in delivering progress towards this crucial aspect of a net zero energy system.

“Decarbonising electricity production, transmission and utilisation under an accelerated timeline, will not only provide societal benefits through an energy system that is less vulnerable to global disruption, but will also create an economic and competitive opportunity for the UK to lead on the infrastructure, technology and engineering skills that will shape the future.”

Dr Simon Harrison, co-chair of the independent working group and group head of strategy at Mott MacDonald, added: “The scale of work required to decarbonise the electricity system in such a short period of time cannot be underestimated. But the precedent set by the rapid delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine shows that the collective pursuit of a national mission can put a seemingly impossible target within reach.

“A radical shift in our approach will be needed, but the engineering community has already come together to map that out in this report, and it is ready to roll up its sleeves to deliver the clean energy we need.”

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