The government has reactivated a solar taskforce with the aim of delivering an updated ‘roadmap’ for the delivery of clean energy by 2030.
Solar power will be a key driving force behind the government’s clean power mission, energy secretary Ed Miliband told industry figures during the taskforce’s first meeting last week.
The taskforce brings together leading figures from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), along with industry and regulatory organisations. It will focus “relentlessly” on accelerating the delivery of solar energy across the country.
According to DESNZ, home-grown, renewable energy projects including solar will help build the UK’s energy independence and reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuels – protecting consumer bills and providing clean power.
Reflecting the government’s ambitions to generate more solar power by 2030, the taskforce has committed to delivering an updated solar roadmap within the coming months.
To inform this work, this first meeting focused on renewed efforts to expand solar energy initiatives, including actions to develop an ethical, resilient and innovative supply chain and to ensure that a skilled and properly resourced workforce is in place to scale up solar installations across the UK.
Earlier this year, the government called for a ‘solar rooftop revolution’, setting out its aim to see millions of homes nationwide equipped with solar panels.
Miliband, who co-chairs the taskforce, said: “The relaunch of the Solar Taskforce is essential for accelerating action and innovation in our journey towards clean power by 2030 – and to achieve this we are committed to working in lockstep with industry.
“The taskforce has shared ambitions to go further and faster, and as solar is one of the cheapest sources of power to build and operate, it is just common sense to make sure it powers even more UK homes and businesses.
“This will not only help to cut carbon emissions but communities stand to benefit too from secure home-grown energy and lower energy costs.”
Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK, and taskforce co-chair, added: “I am excited to be working with the new Secretary of State on getting the solar taskforce back to work for the country.
“More solar power means cheaper, more secure and more sustainable energy, alongside jobs and economic growth.
“To deliver on those aims, the forthcoming solar roadmap will outline how the UK will overcome critical barriers to the sector’s growth, among them skills and access to the electricity grid.”
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