UK set to miss its solar and wind targets for 2030

New research suggests that the growth of electricity generated by solar and wind will not be enough to meet the Government’s targets 

In December of last year, the Government published their Clean Power 2030 Action Plan which set revised targets for the amount of  solar, onshore wind and offshore wind capacity the UK would have access to by that date.

Specifically they were aiming for:

• 43-50 GW of offshore wind
• 27-29 GW of onshore wind
• 45-47 GW of solar power

Despite introducing a number of measures intended to accelerate the deployment of wind and solar – bringing onshore wind back in to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime,  streamlining the planning process and proposed changes to the legal challenge process for major infrastructure projects – new forecasts from Cornwall Insight suggest the targets will be missed by quite some way.

The data, from Cornwall Insight’s GB Benchmark Power Curve, anticipates a shortfall in capacity by a total of 32GW, with the actual capacity more like to be as below: 

• 37 GW of offshore wind (6GW short)
• 17 GW of onshore wind (10GW short)
• 29 GW of solar power (16GW short)

While these figures seem damning, Cornwall Insight remind us that their forecast still represents a 70% increase on the current capacity.

Tom Musker, Modelling Manager, at Cornwall Insight said: ‘Renewables are set for substantial growth over the next five years, as the country strives to meet its clean power ambitions. However, despite promising progress, the gap between this growth and government targets underscores the urgent need to address both the operational and investment barriers slowing renewables growth. Grid connection delays, supply chain constraints, and uncertainty surrounding electricity market reforms are all creating a challenging environment for developers. Without swift and decisive action to resolve these issues, the UK risks falling significantly behind its clean power ambitions.

‘The government’s push towards a fully decarbonised grid represents an opportunity to cement the UK’s position as a global leader in renewable energy. However, while setting ambitious goals for renewables is crucial, some argue that pushing too quickly could have unintended consequences, diverting resources to short-term solutions at the expense of longer-term energy security and sustainability.

‘Timely investment in infrastructure, clarity on market reforms, and support for innovative project delivery are vital to unlocking the UK’s clean energy potential. Ensuring we not only meet immediate clean power goals but also stay on track for our broader net zero commitments.’