The country faces a major challenge in meeting projected energy needs over the next few decades, while at the same time tackling climate change.
The current UK peak demand for electricity is around 60GW (gigawatts). But over the next decade a number of power stations are planned to close. These include:
- 12GW coal/oil (EU emissions legislation)
- 7.5GW nuclear (stations at the end of their asset lives)
In order to replace power stations scheduled to close in the next 10 years and meet continued electricity demand over the same period, more than 20GW of new generation will be required by 2020.
Energy generation is responsible for producing most of our greenhouse gases, with carbon dioxide the most common. Yet, at the same time as this major increase in electricity generation is needed, the UK must also meet stringent targets set to help tackle climate change by reducing our output of greenhouse gases.
The UK has pledged to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050. Before then, we are committed to reducing emissions by 20% by 2020, as part of EU-wide targets, and are working toward the EU target of 15% renewable energy generation by 2020.
To meet this complex challenge, the Government has adopted an energy policy that promotes:
- energy efficiency
- renewable energy (e.g. wind generation)
- a diverse mix of energy sources, including ‘cleaner’ fossil fuels that meet emissions targets, such as gas, as well as nuclear and renewables
The Government believes that wind energy will help the country to meet the renewable energy targets, while nuclear energy will be both part of the mix of new generation required to fill the ‘generation gap’,and, as a form of low carbon generation, will help the UK meet the ambitious carbon emissions targets.
The energy industry is now embarking on a multi-billion pound investment programme. This will encompass small and large scale electricity generation and substantial investment in energy networks to replace and upgrade ageing assets, constructing new overhead power lines and substations to connect and efficiently deliver new energy sources, as well as maintaining the levels of safety and reliability to which everyone has become accustomed. New overhead power lines and substations are particularly important, as power stations will not be able to supply electricity without this infrastructure in place.
To streamline the process for obtaining planning permission for developments such as large scale power stations, and the overhead power lines needed to take the electricity to where it is needed, the Government has reformed the planning system under The Planning Act 2008.