What is the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A New Era of Clean Electricity
In December 2024, the government released the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, outlining the nation’s strategy for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. This ambitious plan sets out the key goals and policies designed to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure a secure and affordable electricity supply for all.
As the UK moves toward its 2030 targets, the plan provides a roadmap for businesses, energy providers, and consumers to contribute to a greener, more resilient power system.
Clean Power 2030 marks a transformative step towards energy independence in the UK. The plan aims to address three crucial challenges: ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply, fostering new energy industries with thousands of skilled jobs, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. This initiative is a rapid and decisive move towards a sustainable energy future.
Energy Infrastructure & Carbon Reduction
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has provided independent recommendations on the infrastructure required to achieve Clean Power 2030.
By 2030, clean energy sources are expected to generate at least as much electricity as the UK consumes annually, accounting for over 95% of total generation. This will drive down carbon emissions from 171gCO2e/kWh in 2023 to below 50gCO2e/kWh.
Expansion of Clean Energy
To achieve these ambitious goals, the UK will rapidly expand clean energy capacity. The government’s targets for 2030 include:
Offshore wind: 43-50 GW
Onshore wind: 27-29 GW
Solar power: 45-47 GW
Battery storage: 23-27 GW
Long-duration energy storage: 4-6 GW
Flexible technologies: Including carbon capture, hydrogen, and consumer-led demand response.
Infrastructure & Investment
Achieving Clean Power by 2030 requires 80 new energy infrastructure projects, most of which are already in advanced stages of planning. The UK will maintain 35 GW of gas reserve capacity to ensure energy security. Investments of around £40 billion per year (2025-2030) will drive this transformation, distributing economic benefits across the UK while protecting consumers from volatile gas prices.
Planning & Regulatory Reform
The government is reforming regulatory frameworks to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Key measures include:
Prioritising clean energy projects in grid connection queues.
Reforming planning consent procedures to fast-track critical infrastructure.
Ensuring community benefits, allowing host communities to gain from clean energy projects.
Aligning regulatory frameworks across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Renewable & Nuclear Energy Development
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme will be reformed to improve the financing of renewables, particularly offshore wind. The government will also support local and community-led renewable projects and invest in nuclear energy, recognising its role in a low-carbon future. Scotland, however, will not support new nuclear developments.
Market & Storage Reforms
Electricity market reforms will enhance the integration of renewables, storage, and consumer-led flexibility. Short-duration flexibility (29-35 GW) will be expanded, reducing reliance on costly backup generation. Long-duration storage technologies, including pumped hydropower and hydrogen power, will be scaled up to ensure energy stability.
Workforce & Supply Chains
The clean energy transition will create thousands of new jobs. The government will introduce a Clean Energy Skills Challenge to train workers for low-carbon industries. Supply chains will be strengthened through investment in domestic manufacturing, ensuring the UK capitalises on clean energy sector growth.
Governance & Delivery
The Clean Power 2030 Unit will oversee project implementation, identify barriers, and ensure progress remains on track. This unit will work in collaboration with government bodies, industry leaders, and the public to facilitate a seamless transition to clean energy.
Clean Power 2030 represents a decisive step towards a net-zero economy, securing affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for the UK. Through rapid expansion, investment, and policy reform, the UK is laying the foundation for a cleaner, greener future.
