In its response to the consultation that ran from early March to late May this year it announced plans to extend the delivery period to 2035 and an intention to move forward on a proposal to allow flexibility components to be included in future allocation rounds.
While no changes have been declared regarding energy storage assets, an intention to avoid creating barriers for such technologies to deliver system flexibility has been indicated, in addition to a proposed call for evidence on support for renewables to come later.
Overall picture is positive
Many respondents to the consultation echoed the STA’s call for more frequent auctions to accommodate solar PV’s shorter project development timeframes, and appealed for certainty that Pot 1 technologies (of which solar PV is one) would be eligible to compete in future allocation rounds, stating that these could aid economic recovery and help the UK meet its climate targets.
See also: Call for action on five key strategies for global decarbonization
STA Chief Executive Chris Hewett said: “This announcement opens the door to significant numbers of subsidy-free solar projects being developed over the next few years. There is plenty of detail to dig into here, but the overall picture is a positive one. In particular we are pleased to see an extension of the delivery period and welcome the announcement of a call for evidence on support for renewables.”
Call for 40 gigawatts of solar by 2030
“Many responses, including our own, highlighted the merit of having more frequent auctions, and this is something that the Government must implement if it is to maximise the economic and climate potential of renewables. Large solar projects can be deployed rapidly, offering a swift, job intensive contribution to a green economic recovery.”
Solar is the UK’s most popular energy technology, and more than three gigawatts of projects in the planning pipeline stand ready for development. It is, by the government’s own forecasts, set to be the cheapest form of new electricity generation for the coming years. The STA continues to call on the Government to pledge a target of 40 gigawatts of solar by 2030, triple today’s capacity, to support a green recovery and the transition to a net zero economy. (mfo)
