Continuing the Decarbonisation of Energy

This chapter explores some of the key next steps facing British electricity, from provision of heat and transport through to new ways of building and financing energy. This discussion is designed to inspire the informed creative thinking that is required to continue British decarbonisation. Decarbonisation via low-carbon renewables requires millions of wind turbines and solar panels to be adopted and needs business models which support mass adoption. The decline in costs of solar and wind are displacing fossil-fuelled electricity plants around the world, and the energy storage industry is growing. Governments, policymakers and electricity industry regulators influence factors from the provision of safe and reliable power, to keeping markets competitive and ensuring value for money for customers. In addition to reducing gas use in electricity, over 80% of British homes need to switch from gas to alternative heating sources to bring about decarbonisation of the whole energy mix.