Lots in store – renewable and battery boost

The latest annual energy projections from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) suggests a distinct shift in electricity sourcing expectations over the next 15 years, according to energy blog ‘Carbon Brief’.

• New gas capacity is expected to be only 6GW by 2035 – half the 2016 projection of 14GW, which in turn had nearly halved 2015’s expectations of 25GW
• Renewable capacity is expected to be 45GW in 2035, nearly double the 2015 projections of 23GW
• Battery storage capacity is projected to reach 8GW, up from 4GW projected in 2016

Renewable costs drop

The rapidly changing expectations for different electricity generation technologies over the last few years appear to coincide with a period of rapid cost decline for renewable generation, particularly wind and solar. Distribution and transmission network scale battery storage is also emerging as a potentially cost effective technology.

Expert energy analysis

"Rapid changes to the cost of renewable energy technologies, particularly wind and solar generation, coupled with falling costs and strong activity in the battery storage sector, are helping to drive significant change in the UK’s energy development.

"Now far less new gas fired capacity is anticipated by government projections than just a few years ago. Great news for the low carbon energy sector. However, a lot is being predicated on the anticipated growth of electricity storage capacity, a sector which is still in its infancy and which needs strong policy encouragement to fulfil expectations." Alastair Fells MEI, Incorporated Eng, PG Dip Fuel Tech, BSc Hons

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