The UK government announced over the weekend several measures designed to bolster national energy security, including approving the sale of ‘plug-in solar’ systems and bringing forward the next annual renewables auction.
Framed as a direct response to the war in Iran and its impact across the wider Middle East, UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband outlined a package of measures designed to go “further and faster” in pursuit of national energy security.
Key to the government’s vision of national energy security is a combination of small-scale household solar and accelerating the country’s move away from natural gas.
Following the example set by Europe, Miliband announced that plug-in solar kits will be made available in the UK for the first time.
While there are plans afoot to bring the technology to Australia, there are several hurdles that need to be dealt with first. But the technology is simple in its conception and basically allows anyone to set up their own solar panels and even a connected battery.
Plug-in solar is most commonly seen on balconies across Europe and are helping apartment dwellers save on their electricity bills. In Germany, for example, already half a million of these plug-in solar systems have been plugged in over the last year alone.
The UK expects that these plug-in solar kits will be able to be installed in gardens or on walls and balconies, providing an alternative for renters and those living in flats, units, and apartments, who may otherwise not have the option to install rooftop solar panels.
The plug-in solar kits are plugged into a mains socket like any other device and reduces the amount of electricity that is otherwise taken from the grid, cutting energy bills and enabling everyone to do their own little bit for the environment.
The government will work with the relevant bodies, consumer groups, and industry to introduce new standards and amend regulations so as to introduce plug-in solar kits as soon as possible.
The other main step the UK government is taking is bringing forward its next annual renewables auction to July in an effort to provide even greater certainty to clean energy investors and add more renewables to the grid quicker.
“Global events demonstrate there’s not a moment to waste in our drive for clean power because there can be no energy security while we are so dependent on fossil fuels,” said Ed Miliband.
“So today I’m announcing a series of initiatives to speed up our clean power mission: bringing forward the next renewables auction just months after our most successful ever, announcing that plug in solar will be available for the first time in Britain and speeding up our warm homes plan.
“Everything we are doing is about one purpose: fighting the corner of the British people by taking back control of our energy.”
The decision to bring forward the next renewables auction follows only months after the country’s most successful ever auction was completed, promising the addition of a record 13.3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, including 4.9 GW from solar farms – clean power enough to power the equivalent of 23 million homes.
Finally, the UK government will also apply the findings from its Fingleton Review into speeding up the building of nuclear power stations to the renewable energy industry as well.
The steps were immediately praised by the country’s renewable energy industry.
“The latest events in the Middle East have underlined the importance of weening the British economy from dependence on oil and gas as soon as possible and moving to become a fully electrified economy,” said Chris Hewett, chief executive of the trade association Solar Energy UK.
“I am delighted to see that solar energy will be put at the heart of the Government’s response, being the fastest and cheapest solution to rising energy bills, at the smallest and larges scales.”
“Bringing forward the next Contracts for Difference auction is an important step towards strengthening Britain’s energy security,” said Tara Singh, chief executive of RenewableUK.
“Recent global events have shown, yet again, how exposed we remain to shocks in international fossil-fuel markets, and the best way to reduce that vulnerability is to generate more of our own electricity here in the UK, at the stable prices wind and solar offer.”
If you would like to join more than 28,000 others and get the latest clean energy news delivered straight to your inbox, for free, please click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
