SuperNode has responded to the UK government’s Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS) for the energy sector. The response underscores the importance of prioritising deep interconnection with the European energy system as a fundamental strategy for the UK’s energy transition.
In its response, SuperNode commends the SPS for outlining critical priorities and government outcomes. SuperNode especially welcomes the following points:
- Driving the net zero transition by achieving government targets for renewable and low carbon deployment, innovation and uptake of clean technologies, and providing opportunities to increase energy efficiency.
- Competitive and effective markets and regulation that facilitate the anticipatory investment required in innovation, clean technologies, and infrastructure to meet government’s net zero targets while ensuring an appropriate balance between economic, environmental, and social costs, and addressing undue barriers to entry, growth and innovation.
- Barriers to multi-purpose interconnectors and other hybrid or novel assets are removed, and interconnectors operate as efficiently as possible.
- Strategic network plans take a whole system approach, including early consideration of the deliverability, economic cost, and environmental and social impacts.
However, clarity is missing around the UK’s connection with Europe and the European energy system. SuperNode emphasises that deep interconnection in a pan-European energy system is pivotal for the optimal operation of a predominantly renewable-based energy mix.
The UK is moving towards a coordinated, holistic planning regime and energy system and it is clear now that the government understands the value of this approach. Some of the benefits of a coordinated approach are long term stability and reliability of electricity supply, an optimised location of renewable generation and transmission infrastructure, minimising dispatch down and the excessive use of infrastructure, landing points and environmental impact, creating the most secure and cost effective energy system.
Yet, the benefits of a coordinated system do not just apply to the UK system but would apply on a much greater scale with a European energy system based on variable or intermittent renewable energy such as wind and solar. It is in the UK’s and its European Neighbours interest to prioritise deep interconnection as part of a pan-European energy system and to thus reap the shared benefits.
Furthermore, SuperNode stresses that the UK’s offshore renewable resources are among the world’s best, positioning the UK to become a central participant and leader in coordinating the planning and execution of a European grid. This strategic approach holds the potential for the UK to emerge as a significant net exporter of renewable power, offering substantial economic returns and reinforcing energy security for the UK and its European neighbours.
You can read SuperNode’s full response here: Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy Policy in Great Britain