techUK, the Solar Trade Association and RenewableUK are teaming up to help promote the UK’s transition to net zero.
The associations are keen to ensure that the country actually achieves its goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and that the Government actually delivers on the promise of a green-focused recovery of the UK economy.
techUK is arguably the biggest of the three associations, representing some of the UK’s leading firms, including ARM, Deliveroo and Sophos, as well as global brands, such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft. For its part in the partnership, techUK will encourage its members to consider setting up long-term power purchase agreements to stimulate UK-based renewable energy generation.
Considering wind and solar are now the cheapest forms of new power generation in the UK, there’s little reason for tech companies to not leverage them. Add on the growing pipeline of projects being developed for construction in the UK over the next few years, such as the Cleve Hill solar power station, or EDF’s proposed solar farm in Sutton Bridge. In fact, a total of 10GW of large scale solar is planned for the next few years, with well over 2GW of solar and 3.5GW of wind generation with planning permission and grid connection agreements in place.
Many of the largest firms are already leveraging renewable energy to power their data centres and offices, with the likes of Apple going above just purchasing renewable power from a third-party, to actually building two of the world’s largest onshore wind turbines. Plus, Microsoft has already committed to not just being net zero, but being carbon negative by 2030.
Buyers get up close and personal with sellers
Of course, it’s all well and good techUK encouraging its members to consider setting up long-term power purchase agreements, but a gentle encouragement isn’t nearly enough. Thankfully, through the partnership with RenewableUK and the Solar Trade Association, tech firms will be connected directly with the renewable energy providers.
In parallel, the Solar Trade Association and RenewableUK will be encouraging their members to work more closely with the UK technology sector to:
- Integrate smart systems into the growth of the renewable and energy storage industries, to support the development of flexible, responsive digital energy systems.
- Integrate smart energy and heat systems alongside renewable assets in residential buildings.
- Assess the potential of emerging technology – such as AI and machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) and digital twins (a dynamic virtual representation of a physical object or system) – in the renewables sector.
To achieve all of their goals, the three organisations are planning a series of initial activities. techUK, the Solar Trade Association and RenewableUK will host a virtual marketplace – RE-Source UK Virtual – on September 21. The event will showcase industry case studies, offer the latest market information and provide opportunities for buyers and sellers to meet.
During 2021, the three associations will organise further events and produce an online guide on the best routes to ensure operations in the technology and communications infrastructure sector are fully powered by renewable energy. We will also produce briefings on the potential of emerging tech in the renewables sector.
The Solar Trade Association and RenewableUK will also play a part in techUK’s work programmes and campaigns on smart energy, focussing on the decarbonisation of flexible power markets and maximising the UK content of the smart and flexible energy transition.
Commenting on the agreement, Julian David, CEO techUK, noted, “The technology sector is already the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world. We are committed to working with the UK’s renewable sector not only to bring more new renewables onto the grid as part of our own efforts to decarbonise our operations, but also to support companies in the sector in understanding how emerging technology can support their businesses.”
Barnaby Wharton, director of future electricity systems, RenewableUK, added, “Wind and solar are the cheapest forms of new power generation which will lead the green economic recovery the UK needs. Events like RE-Source UK Virtual later this month offer precious opportunities for companies to sign Power Purchase Agreements to stimulate that recovery and to reach net zero emissions at the lowest cost. I’m delighted that we’ll be working more closely with techUK and the STA to deliver the smart, flexible power system of the future faster than anyone expects”.
Chris Hewett, chief executive, Solar Trade Association, concluded, “Private sector leadership is vital to deliver a net zero economy. We are proud to strengthen our commitment to working with the UK’s technology sector to accelerate decarbonisation and the transition to clean energy.”