- UK’s ESO has highlighted 4 different pathways for the UK’s energy future.
- The UK’s ESO estimates that up to 13GW of energy storage is needed by 2030 to meet net-zero.
- Up to 77GW of new wind and solar could be needed by 2030
The UK’s National grid electricity system operator (ESO) has outlined four different pathways for the country’s energy future. In its Future Energy Scenarios (FES) 2021 document, the ESO details pathways to transforming the energy mix, the residential and transport sectors. Under three scenarios, the UK would meet net-zero by 2050, while the slowest would see the UK reduce emissions by 73 per cent by 2050.
One key aspect of the report is the need for extensive market reforms to drive energy flexibility. In addition, the report notes that up to 13GW of energy storage is needed by 2030 to enable growth in renewable energy. The report also highlights the need for investment in the entire system infrastructure to allow for the connection of up to 47GW of offshore wind by 2030 and 17GW of interconnector capacity.
Across all net-zero scenarios, EOS posits that at least 35TWh of hydrogen storage and a nationwide rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and heat pumps is needed by 2035. The report also notes that The UK could need between 34GW and 77GW of new wind and solar generation to meet demand across the scenarios by 2030.