UK Aims for 95% Clean Electricity by 2030; Reform UK Proposes Controversial Energy Policies

The UK is targeting 95% clean electricity by 2030, requiring over 100GW of clean energy and storage. This includes quadrupling battery storage, almost tripling offshore wind and solar PV, and doubling onshore wind. Investment could reach £40 billion annually, creating jobs and cutting energy bills. However, grid connection queues exceed 700GW, seven times the planned capacity. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) paused applications to address this. Addressing skill shortages, especially electrical engineers and planners, is also crucial. Reform UK proposes scrapping Net Zero, including a windfall tax on renewables, taxing solar farms, banning Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and burying all National Grid cables underground. Critics argue these policies would raise consumer bills and hinder energy sector improvements.