Exploring the UK's Energy Future: Wind and Solar Capable of Powering the Nation Tenfold by 2050

Immersa CEO Rob Miles was encouraged to read a recent report and article published in The Times, discussing the potential for Wind and Solar to Power the Nation Tenfold by 2050. In the following, we gain some exciting significance and insight into the information from the article and from Rob. We hope this will pave the way to a much-needed change in attitude and support and deliver the renewable energy transition the UK can benefit from.

The renewable energy landscape in the UK is shifting dramatically. A recent ground-breaking study from the University of Oxford has presented a compelling case for the viability of wind and solar power in addressing the UK’s future energy needs. Their findings represent not just an academic assertion but the essence of the sustainable transformation we at Immersa have advocated for years.

According to the analysis, by the middle of this century, wind and solar technologies could produce almost ten times the electricity the UK currently consumes. These figures were derived even after a conservative stance, accounting for land and sea availability, energy storage requirements, economic considerations, and potential high energy demands.

When looking deeper into the report’s specifics, it states offshore wind farms contribute a significant 73% of this energy, with utility-scale ground-mounted solar projects in fields following at 19%. For context, the Solar Energy Industries Association classifies utility-scale solar initiatives as those producing more than 1 megawatt of solar energy. Onshore wind farms, which are currently getting support from the government through policy adjustments, could contribute around 7%, while solar rooftops, mainly concentrated in southern Britain, would contribute less than 1%.

The Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, behind this research, boldly highlighted an undervaluation of the potential of wind and solar in Great Britain. It’s refreshing to hear Professor Cameron Hepburn, director of the Smith School, emphasise that a renewable-powered UK is no longer just a distant vision. The dramatically reduced costs of wind and solar technologies and innovative energy storage solutions make this vision a reality.

Rob agreed wholeheartedly with Professor Hepburn’s sentiment; it encourages me. Many people often downplay the capabilities of renewables, entrenched in outdated narratives about their feasibility or cost-effectiveness. The perspectives and dialogue are changing, and it’s time we recognise the enormous potential at our doorstep.

At Immersa, we’ve always championed the promise of Solar PV renewable energy and battery energy storage. The Oxford study reinforces our belief in their ability to support and drive the UK’s energy transformation. Our mission, supporting homeowners and businesses in navigating a shift towards a sustainable and affordable energy future, aligns with these findings.