Bulk of UK onshore renewable energy projects fail to get beyond planning stage

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the Financial Times or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The majority of the UK's onshore renewable energy projects are failing to progress beyond the planning stage, highlighting significant challenges in meeting clean energy targets

🔭 The context: Between 2018 and 2023, 63% of the roughly 4,000 applications for wind, solar, and battery projects were refused, abandoned, withdrawn, or expired
• Only 20% of projects are either awaiting a decision or ready for construction, reflecting issues in the planning system and resource shortages

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Meeting the UK's legally binding goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 relies on rapidly increasing renewable energy capacity
• Delays in project approvals threaten this progress and the decarbonization of the electricity system

⏭️ What's next: Both major political parties promise planning reforms ahead of the general election to expedite the approval process
• National Grid and other electricity network owners are also working to speed up grid connections

💬 One quote: “These figures reveal a substantial shortfall in meeting these targets, something which is largely driven by the slow pace of progress in deploying renewable energy projects,” said Lucy Dolton, Cornwall Insight

📈 One stat: There was a 66% increase in planning applications for renewable projects in 2023 compared to 2022

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