If implemented well, officials have explained that the plan could see more electricity being generated by renewable sources than fossil fuels- for the first time in UK history! 70 per cent will be coming from low-carbon sources.<\/p>\n
Currently, the UK\u2019s energy is around 30% renewable (April-June 2017), and offshore wind provides around 7% of that figure, but this is expected to rise to 10% within the next year, and 30% for wind alone before the next decade finishes.<\/p>\n
ScottishPower, which has committed to 100% green energy, was among companies to confirm involvement in this deal, which is looking to be a momentous statement in the race to cut fossil fuels out completely.<\/p>\n
The ‘big six’ energy firm, which has the bulk of its offshore wind interests off the East Anglia coast, expects to have made a \u00a36bn investment by 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis new sector deal will drive a surge in the clean, green offshore wind revolution that is powering homes and businesses across the UK, bringing investment into coastal communities and ensuring we maintain our position as global leaders in this growing sector,\u201d said energy minister Claire Perry.<\/p>\n
The deal is set to:<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increase the target for the amount of UK content in homegrown offshore wind projects to 60%, ensuring that \u201cthe \u00a3557 million pledged by the government in July 2018 for further clean power auctions over the next ten years will directly benefit local communities from Wick to the Isle of Wight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reduce the cost of offshore wind projects – which have already been halved in the past two years – to help move to a subsidy-free system.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Introduce a new \u00a3250 million Offshore Wind Growth Partnership to develop the UK supply chain, as global exports are set to increase fivefold to \u00a32.6 billion by 2030.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boost global exports fivefold to \u00a32.6 billion per year by 2030.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Provide more than \u00a34m for British businesses to help countries such as Indonesia and Pakistan move from coal power to offshore wind projects.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cut the cost of projects in the 2020s and overall system costs, \u201cso projects commissioning in 2030 will cost consumers less as we move towards a subsidy free world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 See the Crown Estate & Crown Estate Scotland release new seabed land from 2019 for new offshore wind developments.<\/p>\n
In terms of economic gain, the government\u2019s official site have posted that the deal is looking to:<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Achieve at least 33% women in the total offshore wind workforce by 2030<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Triple highly-skilled jobs to 27,000 by 2030 through a new skills package for offshore wind employees<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Become a global leader in renewables with more investment potential than any other country in the world as part of the modern Industrial Strategy<\/p>\n
\u201cThe move to a cleaner, greener economy is outlined in our modern Industrial Strategy as one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time,\u201d said Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry. \u201cWorking with the offshore wind industry, I want to ensure that women and young people benefit from this sea-change.<\/p>\n
Energy UK\u2019s chief executive, Lawrence Slade, has said that the deal should hopefully \u201cfurther cement the UK\u2019s position as a world-leader in offshore wind\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe offshore wind industry has been a great success story for the UK, bringing thousands of skilled jobs and billions in investment while delivering clean energy at an ever-falling cost to customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Industry body RenewableUK said the deal was about creating new opportunities for the wide group of demographics looking to get into this sector.<\/p>\n
However, with this leap of faith, there is always uncertainty. John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, has said that there may be some work needed to be fully self-sustainable without fossil fuels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government\u2019s plans for a fleet of new nuclear reactors has collapsed. This leaves Britain with a big energy gap in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means the government\u2019s latest offshore wind target of 30 gigawatts by 2030 is woefully inadequate.<\/p>\n
\u201cRenewable power now presents the best opportunity for cheaper, cleaner and faster decarbonisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWind and solar must be tripled between now and 2030, with offshore wind the future backbone of the UK\u2019s energy system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Offshore wind has become an increasingly attractive form of power, as costs have gradually decreased over time. The cost of new offshore wind contracts has dropped by more than 50% over the last two years, and it doesn\u2019t look like slowing down.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s to a new, greener UK.<\/p>\n
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