Onshore Wind Milestones, Zero Waste Economies, and Climate Finance

Milestones reached in the UK's renewable energy landscape for onshore wind capacity

RenewableUK reports a milestone in the UK's renewable energy landscape, as the country achieves 15,000 megawatts (MW) of operational onshore wind capacity. EDF Renewables UK's West Benhar wind farm, with 30.1MW capacity and seven turbines in North Lanarkshire, notably contributes to this achievement. The UK now hosts 2,631 operating onshore wind schemes, showcasing remarkable progress since the inauguration of its first commercial wind farm, Delabole, in 1991.

Onshore wind power now supplies 11% of Britain's yearly electricity, marking a significant step towards its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. EDF Renewables UK CEO, Matthieu Hue, highlights the collaborative efforts with local communities and supply chains, with over ￡4.5 million expected to be reinvested locally during the wind farm's lifespan. James Robottom, RenewableUK's Head of Policy, notes the importance of West Benhar's operation in bolstering the nation's energy security and providing clean, affordable electricity from one of its most cost-effective sources.

Could the UK achieve a zero-waste economy by 2050?

The shadow environment secretary, Steve Reed, outlined Labour's commitment to achieving a zero-waste economy by 2050, aiming to save billions of pounds and protect the environment from harmful mining activities. Speaking at the Restitch conference in Coventry, hosted by the think tank Create Streets, Reed emphasised Labour's focus on green renewal, with a zero-waste economy forming a pivotal part of their agenda.

This ambitious goal entails significantly reducing landfill waste while promoting the reuse of valuable raw materials like plastic, glass, and minerals. Reed criticised the Conservative government's lack of progress on this front since their pledge in 2011, highlighting the economic benefits and feasibility of such a transition.

Reed cited examples from other countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, underscoring the potential ￡70 billion economic boost a zero-waste economy could bring. He emphasised that achieving this goal would require collaboration between the government and businesses, leading to reduced emissions, enhanced supply chain security, and improved productivity.

NatPower pledges ￡10 billion into battery storage projects in the UK

In a surprising boost to the UK's green power sector, NatPower, a British startup affiliated with a larger European energy conglomerate, has pledged a staggering ￡10 billion investment. This investment is earmarked to develop the largest portfolio of battery storage projects in the country. The plan involves submitting planning applications for three "gigaparks" initially, with a further 10 slated for the following year.

Battery storage projects are crucial for decarbonising Britain's power grid, enabling the storage of electricity generated by renewables like wind turbines and solar panels for use during periods of low wind or sunlight. NatPower's investment aims to construct 60 gigawatt hours of battery storage, alongside forthcoming solar and wind projects.

The gigaparks are slated for locations in the north and west of England, utilising industrial land and leasing agreements with farmers. This significant investment marks a bright spot in the renewables landscape amid challenges such as supply chain disruptions and global inflation.

NatPower's CEO, Stefano Sommadossi, described their commitment to tackling grid bottlenecks and driving the energy transition, with plans to invest in substations to facilitate clean energy adoption and reduce costs for consumers. Additionally, battery storage projects could mitigate curtailment costs, projected to reach ￡3.5 billion annually by 2030 without grid upgrades.