Report

Generating hope

This report from UK think tank Localis looks at how the Local Power Plan can build on best practice and overcome local barriers to drive energy decarbonisation.

Elected on a platform with strong emphasis on energy security and decarbonisation, the UK Government has set a goal of ‘clean power’ by 2030 and established Great British Energy (GB Energy) to drive progress through investment in and development of clean energy projects.

The Local Power Plan, a component of GB Energy, aims to support local and combined authorities, as well as community energy groups, through funding and assistance for small and medium-scale renewable energy projects. With detail on the Local Power Plan as yet unsubstantiated, Generating Hope looks at how the plan can best build on best practice and overcome local barriers to drive decarbonisation of energy at the level of place.

Local authorities play an essential role in achieving net zero, as a significant portion of UK carbon emissions fall within their scope of action. However, the approach from central government in recent years has been inconsistent, with support for councils to deliver on this agenda often underfunded and piecemeal. While the level of government funding is at the heart of the problem at local level, the issues caused play out in a variety of ways, requiring a nuanced and multifaceted policy solution.

Multiple technical, financial and political barriers hinder the further deployment of renewable energy. The solutions to these problems must emphasise the potential for renewable energy to address socio-economic challenges related to the energy trilemma of sustainability, security and affordability.