The United Kingdom has come under scrutiny for its decision to forge ahead with the construction of new gas-fired power stations, a move purportedly aimed at ensuring a “safe and reliable energy source” during periods of low renewable generation. Critics argue that such plans disregard the imperative for a revamped approach to managing the energy system in light of ambitious net zero targets.
According to UK Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho, the UK stands as the first major economy to slash its emissions by half since 1990, contrasting with the European Union’s 30% reduction, the United States’ stagnation, and China’s staggering 300% increase in emissions. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak echoed this sentiment, boasting that the UK is already halfway to achieving its net zero goals, with greenhouse gas emissions plummeting by 50% since 1990.
However, the announcement of plans for new gas-fired power plants has sparked considerable debate surrounding the UK’s net zero ambitions and its implications for energy security.
UK’s Net Zero Plans
The proposed construction of new gas-fired power plants entails building them “net zero” ready, capable of transitioning to low-carbon alternatives like carbon capture and hydrogen power. Nevertheless, reliance on pre-commercial technologies remains a contentious issue in the ongoing struggle to compel the UK government to uphold its legal obligations under the UK Climate Change Act of 2008.
The Climate Change Act mandates the government to adhere to carbon budgets, which impose constraints on UK greenhouse gas emissions over set five-year intervals. It includes a target to be over three-quarters of the way to net zero by 2035. Given that it has taken 34 years to halve emissions, the addition of fossil fuel generation expected to operate for the next 30-40 years raises significant concerns.
Sir David King, founder and chair of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, and former chief scientific advisor to the UK Government, expressed skepticism about the decision to construct new gas-fired power stations. He advocates for a heightened focus on further developing renewable energy sources and energy storage, pointing to existing interconnectors like the one to Norway, which leverages excess grid power to pump water into hydropower dams for electricity generation during shortages.
The UK government’s track record on net zero strategy has also faced criticism. In 2022, the UK High Court ruled that the government’s strategy fell short of the Climate Change Act’s requirements and needed strengthening. Despite a revised Net Zero Strategy published in March 2023, concerns persist regarding the risks associated with unproven technologies and the government’s failure to adequately address them.
UK Energy Security Concerns
Moreover, heightened reliance on gas-fired power raises questions about energy security, particularly regarding gas imports. Despite recent oil and gas license openings in the North Sea, these endeavors typically require 10-15 years to come to fruition. This medium-term dependence on gas imports presents challenges, exacerbated by recent geopolitical tensions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Dr. Harald Heubaum, Chair of the Centre for Energy and Climate Policy at SOAS, emphasized that while a modest amount of gas backup during the transition may be sensible, a substantial expansion of gas-fired power stations could pose significant long-term challenges. He stressed the necessity of reducing emissions and building climate resilience to ensure energy security in the coming years.
Promoting Alternative Solutions
Critics argue that prioritizing gas-fired power overlooks the evolving energy landscape, as evidenced by the grid’s recent record-breaking reliance on green energy. A properly designed energy system should integrate renewable energy with storage, efficiency measures, and demand-side management.
Demand-side management, in particular, offers substantial benefits, including cost savings and emission reductions. Paul Szyszczak, Country Manager of Danfoss Climate Solutions, UK and Ireland, advocates for widespread deployment of demand-side flexibility technology, which can stabilize the grid and mitigate the need for fossil fuel backups. This approach not only promises energy bill savings and emission reductions but also obviates the need for new gas power stations.
Furthermore, investment in energy efficiency measures could yield significant emissions reductions and economic benefits. Research indicates that global deployment of energy efficiency measures could contribute one-third of the way to achieving net zero, while also creating millions of new jobs in efficiency-related sectors.
In light of these considerations, critics urge governments and policymakers to embrace more efficient and sustainable energy solutions to meet net zero targets effectively.