UK Government Net Zero Strategy published

Responding, Morag Watson, Director of Policy at Scottish Renewables, said:

"We welcome the announcement today from the UK Government of its Net Zero Strategy as a key step towards meeting our climate change targets of net-zero by 2045 in Scotland, and 2050 for the rest of the UK.

“The commitment to accelerate the deployment of low-cost renewable generation, such as wind and solar through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme by undertaking a review of the frequency of the CfD auctions is crucial to ensuring all our electricity comes from low-carbon sources by 2035. Wind and solar are already the cheapest source of electricity and annual CfD auctions will enable industry to bring forward the volume of renewables net-zero requires at the lowest cost to consumers.

“Commitments to support floating offshore wind, offshore supply chain and long duration storage will also support industry’s work to ensure maximum benefits to the UK economy and consumers as we transition to a renewables-based energy system.

"The reform of the electricity grid – how it is planned, run and charged for – is an often overlooked but vitally important aspect of the energy transition. Commitments to take action on this agenda are welcome and we would urge the UK Government to take early action on grid reform to address this issue.

"The renewables industry has made huge strides forward in driving down the cost of renewables over the last decade. The commitments to drive down the cost of low-carbon heat and hydrogen plus removing the cost of decarbonisation from electricity bills will further support industry’s cost reduction efforts."

Notes:

• Read the UK Government's Net Zero Strategy here.