Grid capacity ‘threatens’ Cornwall’s energy potential

Cornwall Council has warned that the area’s renewable energy potential will be at risk if adequate access to the electricity grid cannot be achieved.

He wrote to Ggovernment highlighting the energy that can be generated by floating wind, geothermal and offshore solar farms in Cornwall.

The authorities said the lack of capacity and low network speeds “significantly impact” the development of renewable energy sources at the local level.

The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero said it will work with industry to modernize the country’s transmission infrastructure.

Around 37% of Cornwall’s electricity currently comes from renewable sources and the council hopes to increase this further through its local energy plan.

A letter to Government has called for more support for Cornwall to help the Government achieve its target of decarbonising the energy sector by 2030.

Councillor Martin Alvey, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “Energy network capacity is the biggest risk to growth in Cornwall, affecting many sectors.

“We would welcome the opportunity to work with the Government, the new mission control centre and Great British Energy to support Labour’s development and clean energy missions.”

Earlier this year, a parliamentary committee report highlighted similar challenges.

Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband has stressed that Cornwall can play a “hugely important” role in the drive to net zero emissions.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We are delivering on our long-term plan to make the UK a clean energy superpower.

“The capacity of the UK’s electricity grid has become the biggest obstacle to the deployment of cheap, clean energy generation and the electrification of industry.

“We will work with industry to modernise our national transmission infrastructure and rebuild the UK’s electricity systems.”

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