Record renewable capacity secures planning permission

A record amount of renewable energy capacity secured planning permission in the UK during the second quarter of this year.

According to analysis of Government figures by the FT, more than 16.1 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity across 323 projects got the green light, a rise of 195 per cent rise on the same quarter last year.

Applications for new battery storage projects reached 8.4 GW, compared with 6 GW currently in operation.

Under the UK government’s Clean Power Action plan it has ambitious 2030 targets in place to have 43-50 GW of offshore wind, 27-29 GW of onshore wind, and 45-47 GW of solar power.

This will be complemented by flexible capacity, including 23-27 GW of battery capacity and 4-6 GW of long duration energy storage.