The UK’s Solar Taskforce convened its first meeting since being reactivated on Wednesday, aiming to accelerate the rollout of solar energy as part of the nation’s 2030 clean power mission.
During the meeting, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasised the crucial role solar power will play in strengthening energy independence and reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuels.
Bringing together key figures from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), industry, and regulatory organisations, the taskforce has been tasked with delivering an updated solar roadmap in the coming months. This roadmap will focus on expanding solar energy initiatives, developing ethical and resilient supply chains, and ensuring a skilled workforce is in place to scale up installations across the country.
This meeting follows the UK Government’s announcement in July of plans for a ‘solar rooftop revolution’, aiming to equip millions more homes with solar panels. Additionally, in recent months, the Government has approved 2GW of nationally significant solar power projects, exceeding the total approved in the past 14 years combined.
Miliband commented, “The relaunch of the Solar Taskforce is essential for accelerating action and innovation in our journey towards clean power by 2030 – and to achieve this we are committed to working in lockstep with industry.
“The taskforce has shared ambitions to go further and faster, and as solar is one of the cheapest sources of power to build and operate, it is just common sense to make sure it powers even more UK homes and businesses. This will not only help to cut carbon emissions but communities stand to benefit too from secure homegrown energy and lower energy costs.”
Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK, added, “I am excited to be working with the new Secretary of State on getting the solar taskforce back to work for the country. More solar power means cheaper, more secure and more sustainable energy, alongside jobs and economic growth. To deliver on those aims, the forthcoming solar roadmap will outline how the UK will overcome critical barriers to the sector’s growth, among them skills and access to the electricity grid.”