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2018 and 2023, 63% of the roughly 4,000 applications for wind, solar, and battery projects were refused, abandoned, withdrawn, or expired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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