Summary of the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era of clean electricity

On Friday 13 December 2024 the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero published their ambitious Government Clean Power Action Plan – with the ethos being to “sprint” towards homegrown energy production.

The primary aim is for the UK to achieve clean power by 2030 to increase energy security and improve affordability, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The carbon intensity of electricity generation is to fall below 50gCO2e/kWH by 2030, and clean electricity production is to meet total annual electricity demand.

This is a summary of the action plan which the Government is committing to.

• Reformed electricity networks and connections
  
  • The grid connection process is to be reformed to prioritise viable renewable projects. Network infrastructure development is also going to be accelerated via a community benefit approach.
• Updated planning and consents
  • The planning process for energy projects is to be streamlined. This will be done by updating national policy statements and planning guidance, while also maintaining environmental and community protection benefits.
  • Planning organisations are going to be provided flexibility to manage the increased case load.
  • A Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be brought forward, containing measures to streamline the delivery of critical infrastructure.
  • The reformed planning system is going to be designed to enhance the restoration of nature.
• Renewable and nuclear project delivery
  • The allocation of contracts for difference is going to be improved.
  • The interaction between wind turbines and aviation and defence surveillance systems will be managed to prevent interference.
  • Emerging low carbon and renewable technologies will be developed.
• Electricity market reform
  • The electricity market is going to be reformed to support low-carbon flexible capacity.
  • Sector-specific barriers to deployment are going to be addressed and removed to “enable the huge volume of deployment that will underpin Clean Power 2030”.
  • Market-wide half-hourly settlements for retail markets will be introduced. Consumers will be able to take advantage of the system to get lower bills.
• Short to long duration energy storage flexibility
  • The system needs will be supported during periods of low renewable output.
  • A low carbon flexibility roadmap is to be published, which will include enhancing market access for batteries to support consumer-led flexibility.
  • Financing options for retrofit works will be considered. The external display requirements on device meters are being consulted upon.
  • The cap and floor scheme for long-duration energy storage is to potentially be opened in Q2 2025.
• Supply chains and workforce
  • A new industry forum will be convened for supply chain and workforce planning. An aim is to maximise domestic supply chain opportunities, while increasing the capacity of the clean energy workforce via targeted interventions.
  • The Clean Power 2030 aim is labelled as a signal for investors to locate their business in the UK.

Other supporting actions and monitoring

A data-driven approach is going to be employed, and:

• “Great British Energy”, is to be setup as a publicly-owned energy company, in order to drive clean energy deployment. To further strengthen supply chains there will also be some international collaboration.
• The National Wealth Fund and other public financing bodies will be utilised to facilitate investment.
• The “Clean Power 2030 Unit” will be set up to track progress and monitor delivery.

Steve Gummer is a Partner and Freddie Farrell is a Trainee Solicitor at Sharpe Pritchard LLP.

This video is for general awareness only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this page was first published. If you would like further advice and assistance in relation to any issue raised in this article, please contact us by telephone or email enquiries@sharpepritchard.co.uk.