Britain receives £300m commitment from the government towards offshore wind energy, attracting clean energy investors
The United Kingdom is taking significant steps towards its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2030 with a robust clean energy investment plan. Key components of this strategy include the Clean Industry Bonus, amendments to the planning and infrastructure bill, and a substantial public spending pledge for the newly established Great British Energy company.
The Clean Industry Bonus
The Clean Industry Bonus, first proposed last year, is part of the Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan. This initiative aims to boost industrial competitiveness, create jobs, and secure private investment by addressing barriers such as grid connection delays and inconsistent energy reporting. The bonus serves as an incentive to attract investments and support businesses transitioning to clean technologies.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill Amendment
The government is introducing reforms to accelerate planning approval and infrastructure development for renewable energy projects. These changes aim to ensure quicker delivery of clean energy projects and grid upgrades critical for the country’s decarbonization goals.
Solar Roadmap 2025 and Broader Clean Power Action Plan
The government targets increasing solar capacity to 45–47 GW by 2030, up from nearly 19 GW in early 2025. This ambitious plan includes mandatory solar on new homes starting 2025, support for commercial rooftop solar, and reforming grid access and planning rules to overcome deployment barriers.
Significant Funding Commitments
Nearly £22 billion is pledged toward carbon capture, storage, hydrogen production, and next-generation clean power. Additionally, Great British Energy—a new publicly owned entity backed by £8.3 billion—will accelerate clean power installation nationwide.
Electricity System Reform
A unified national wholesale electricity pricing system will support fairness, investment, affordability, and security by making it easier for clean energy projects to compete and receive stable returns, underpinning massive new investments in nuclear and renewable technologies.
Private Sector Investment and Partnerships
Ed Miliband, the UK's Energy Secretary, stated a key goal of the summit is to attract private sector investment for maximum impact. In line with this, ENI, the Italian energy company, has pledged £2 billion in supply chain contracts for the HyNet Carbon Capture and Storage project across Wales and the South West of England.
A Focus on Job Creation
Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to secure the next generation of great jobs in the clean energy sector, emphasizing the message "Build it in Britain" when companies are looking to invest in clean energy. The government is considering a Clean Industry Bonus, designed to reward investment in cleaner UK-based supply chains.
The UK government’s clean energy investment plan couples substantial financial backing and institutional innovation to create a stable environment that attracts investment and accelerates the deployment of solar, nuclear, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies to meet ambitious 2030 decarbonization targets.
[1] GOV.UK. (2022). Energy Security and Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-security-and-net-zero-strategy-build-back-greener/energy-security-and-net-zero-strategy-build-back-greener
[2] GOV.UK. (2022). Clean Industry Bonus: Consultation. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/clean-industry-bonus-consultation
[3] GOV.UK. (2022). Great British Energy Company. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/great-british-energy-company-to-drive-national-clean-power-installation
[4] GOV.UK. (2022). Electricity Market Reform: Delivering Affordable, Secure and Low-Carbon Electricity. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-market-reform-delivering-affordable-secure-and-low-carbon-electricity/electricity-market-reform-delivering-affordable-secure-and-low-carbon-electricity
[5] GOV.UK. (2022). Net Zero Strategy: Powering our Industrial Revolution. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy-powering-our-industrial-revolution/net-zero-strategy-powering-our-industrial-revolution
- Recognizing the significant role of financing in transitioning to clean technologies, the Clean Industry Bonus, a part of the Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, aims to secure private investment by addressing barriers such as grid connection delays and energy reporting inconsistencies.
- To stimulate infrastructure development and accelerate the delivery of renewable energy projects, the government is proposing amendments to the planning and infrastructure bill, focusing on quicker approval for clean energy projects and grid upgrades critical for the country’s decarbonization goals.
