Shocked by energy planning delays, Rachel? I’m a little taken aback too

Rachel Reeves has delivered her big speech to drum up UK growth, reverse some of the damage done by the Budget and - she hopes - keep her job as chancellor.

I’ll leave questions over whether the government can really kickstart the economy (or whether Reeves is the person to do it) to others. Instead, I want to focus on what her announcements mean for the UK’s renewable energy sector.

As we all know, the sector is under huge pressure to grow significantly in the coming years and just keep doing more and more - generate more power, create more jobs, and scale up at an unprecedented rate. But there’s a fundamental issue: our power infrastructure is already stretched to the maximum. It’s fair to say we are close to breaking point.

More promises, but where’s the action plan?

Unfortunately, Reeves’ speech, while big on headline-grabbing announcements like the Heathrow expansion, was light on detail when it came to renewables. Yes, she spoke about making the UK a “clean energy superpower”. And promised to work “tirelessly” to ensure “smooth, speedy and rapid delivery”, but the energy sector needs more than just political promises - we need tangible action, backed by policy reform.

Take offshore wind, for example. In our recent report on the UK’s offshore wind industry, we examined the major roadblocks hindering the sector’s growth. Grid connection delays, a lack of skilled workers, and supply chain fragility all present serious challenges to meeting the government’s ambitious renewable energy targets. Without a robust strategy to overcome these issues, the UK risks falling short of its clean energy targets, including its goal of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and a fully decarbonised power system by 2035.?

Reeves’ announcement did include a plan to designate new Marine Protected Areas, a move that - while important for conservation - raises further questions. How will these protections be balanced with the aggressive offshore wind expansion needed to meet energy security goals? Where is the strategy to streamline planning approvals and unlock grid bottlenecks?

Yet again, we’re left with big ambitions but little clarity. The energy sector needs answers, not just aspirations. Until we see a real plan, these questions will keep piling up - and so will the delays.

Planning delays: an old problem, newly ‘discovered’

Perhaps the most alarming moment in Reeves’ speech was when she admitted that she was “genuinely shocked” about how slow our planning system is. If she’s only now finding out about the challenges we face, frankly, that’s concerning.

Those of us working in the energy industry have been battling these delays for years. Right now, offshore wind projects in the UK can take 13-plus years from conception to operation - far longer than in countries like Germany or the Netherlands. Meanwhile, grid connection queues stretch into the mid-2030s, leaving developers unable to move forward even after securing planning approval.

Skills, supply chains, and the missing roadmap

Beyond planning, there’s another major challenge Reeves failed to address: the workforce crisis in renewables. According to RenewableUK, the UK offshore wind industry currently employs over 30,000 people, but to reach the government’s target of 50GW by 2030, employment needs to rise to over 120,000. The combination of an ageing workforce, competition from other sectors, and gaps in STEM education means we are sleepwalking into a labour shortage that could derail the transition to clean energy.

And let’s not forget the supply chain. The government’s decision to cancel the offshore wind auction last year due to inadequate price incentives sent shockwaves through the industry, pushing investment elsewhere. Nearly 80% of offshore wind components are still imported, meaning the UK is missing out on the full economic benefits of its own renewables boom.

We need a clear industrial strategy - one that supports domestic supply chains, incentivises skills development, and tackles grid bottlenecks head-on.

Reeves needs to prove she can deliver

If this government is serious about making the UK a clean energy superpower, it must act fast. That means:

• Streamlining planning and grid connection approvals - bringing timelines in line with international best practice.
• Investing in the renewable energy workforce - with apprenticeships, training schemes, and a clear pathway to meet labour demand.
• Fixing supply chain weaknesses - so the UK can build, not just import, its clean energy future.

Right now, the only thing moving at speed is our energy crisis. Will Reeves move fast enough to smooth the way for the renewables growth we desperately need? The clock is ticking…