Energy experts have urged the UK to go forward with its renewables drive, citing the need to strengthen energy security as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, New Civil Engineer writes.
Given the European Union’s reliance on Russian gas supply, EU and UK gas prices have already moved close to the all-time highs reached by the end of 2021.
Jim Watson, director of the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources and professor of energy policy, told an Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit briefing that renewable energy can provide a limited solution because it would lead to an increase in renewable generation and a decrease in the amount of gas used for power generation in the coming years.
As a result, Watson urged the government to maintain its foot on the renewables accelerator and continue to increase investment in low-cost energy sources such as solar and wind.
He stated that decreasing gas usage should be at the forefront of the UK’s reaction to the invasion of Ukraine and rising costs. Increasing UK oil and gas output will have minimal effect on pricing and is unlikely to make a substantial difference in UK imports of fossil fuels.
Lisa Fischer, E3G program head, adding that Europe is facing a seismic change in its approach to energy security.
She claims that this lifts renewables and efficiency in the United States and throughout the world to the level of energy security.
Overall, Watson applauded the government’s recent promise that policy auctions will be held more frequently in order to develop renewables capacity more quickly.
The government also launched its Floating Offshore Wind Demonstration Program in January, with the goal of lowering the costs of building and locating floating turbines in deep-water areas faster, growing the UK supply chain, and supporting the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan target of delivering 1GW of energy through floating offshore wind by 2030.
After a decade of inactivity and poorly constructed programs, Watson proposes a new initiative to renovate and insulate homes. He claims that this will have several long-term benefits, including decreased expenses.
It comes after energy scientists predicted that the UK’s current energy crisis would persist for years after Germany canceled plans for a gas pipeline between Russia and the EU.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz revealed that Germany has asked Russia to remove a vital document required for the approval of the Nord Stream 2 project.