2 minute read
ELECTRIFYING THE COUNTRYSIDE
GRAHAM CLARK CLA FORESTRY AND WOODLAND ADVISER
graham.clark@cla.org.uk 0207 460 7925
CLIMATE CHANGE
nergy is a highly
Epolitical issue. Th e net zero target has been a key driver since 2019, and the 2020 energy white paper sets out the roadmap to decarbonise the UK by 2050.
Th e UK hosting COP26 has made energy increasingly newsworthy this year. However, recent gas price rises have made it even more of a hot topic – and one that is one likely to remain on the political agenda for the foreseeable future.
CLA branches and council have been debating energy recently because these issues will affect most members in the coming years as we switch to heat pumps and electric vehicles (EVs). More renewable power generation seems the solution to enable this electrifi ed countryside – but can it be done when existing rural grids are so weak?
Rural proofi ng
Th e CLA’s priority on energy is to ensure rural proofi ng of policy interventions that affect power, heat, transport and energy effi ciency. Energy policy, regulation and incentives are typically urbancentric and either disadvantage rural areas or prevent them from fully contributing to decarbonisation.
Th e Energy Performance Certifi cate methodology disadvantages traditional solid wall buildings, and many owners cannot meet prescribed Minimum Energy Effi ciency Standards, leading some to sell their let housing. Gas grids barely reach the countryside, yet the Climate Change Committee wants to see oil heating phased out from 2026. Wholesale transition to heat pumps and EVs in rural areas is a signifi cant challenge, involving high costs – and rural grids aren’t designed to take the additional power demand, which is predicted to double by 2050.
Growing renewables
Although renewables provided 43% of our power in 2020, continued expansion, along with nuclear, is necessary – the government wants UK electricity generation to be fossil fuel-free by 2035. Rural areas can play a prominent role in this, as they have the land to host more solar and other renewables. Large-scale battery storage can also help address the intermittency of wind and solar.
Cost
However, such developments are controversial locally. Even if the inevitable planning objections can be overcome, the costs of grid connection and reinforcement can kill off many projects early on. Th e CLA has lobbied on this for years, most recently to Ofgem during its consultation on future grid access and charges for grid reinforcement.
Positive signs
Ofgem is considering reducing up-front reinforcement charges for generation connections, and removing them for demand connections. Th is could boost renewables, improve the viability of farm diversifi cations and facilitate the rural roll-out of EV charging infrastructure and heat pumps.
Send examples
Th ese changes are not secured yet, though. To help strengthen our lobbying, the CLA always needs examples of rural projects being quoted exorbitant grid connection costs, facing long waits or both.
Th e energy challenge is huge, and time is short. Signifi cant investment is required to decarbonise power, heat and transport. Th e government must also ensure not only that electricity grids can cope with the realities of a net zero future, but also that rural areas are enabled to fully contribute.
