National Infrastructure Commission Report: Grid flexibility amongst top priorities for 2020; “at least 50 percent renewable power generation by 2030”.

In a report published this week, the UK’s independent infrastructure advisory body made several recommendations on the government’s progress towards certain priorities; claiming there had been “decidedly mixed” progress on development of infrastructure.

It noted that whilst recent political uncertainty had delayed several projects, government funding of the HS2 rail project and commitments to the UK’s net zero emissions created “a marked shift in momentum” at the beginning of 2020.

To this end, they urged the government to use this momentum to avoid further delays and cost increases by offering funding to planned projects like Crossrail 2 in London.

As well as this, the commission noted the government’s support for the UK’s 2050 net zero emissions goal which was recommended by NIC a year prior alongside ways in which this could be achieved. This included large scale hydrogen production in the coming decade and a ban on the sale of conventional cars and vans by 2035.

The report continued by highlighting the urgency of its own recommendations by claiming the government should deliver a “highly renewable, flexible, 21^st century power system with at least 50 per cent renewable generation by 2030” as well as “implement ambitious recycling targets to reduce emissions from waste”.

Also included was a call to the government to prioritise a flexible electricity system, with maintained access to Europe’s energy markets after Brexit in an attempt to support continued decarbonisation of the grid, and an amendment of the Electricity Act to define the technology surrounding the deployment of energy storage.

The report said, “The challenge of moving to a highly renewable energy system and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions underlines the importance of creating an electricity system with high flexibility.

“It is not enough to merely signal intention, government must follow through on its commitments by taking difficult decisions, making clear plans, and providing necessary funding.”

Sir John Armitt, chair of the NIC, said: “The UK desperately needs a strategy that looks well beyond this Parliament, setting out infrastructure policy and funding up to 2050. It must contain goals, plans to achieve them, funding to deliver those, and deadlines for delivery.”