The network of local leaders says the massive infrastructure rollout needed by 2030 cannot succeed through technical solutions alone — it requires trusted local leadership.
UK100 calls on government to put councils at the heart of clean power delivery plans, with proper resources and powers for community engagement.
LONDON, 5 November 2024 — UK100, the country’s only cross-party network of local leaders committed to ambitious climate action, has responded to today’s National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) advice to the government on achieving clean power by 2030.
The network hosted its flagship Local Leaders: Clean Energy Superpower Summit last month, featuring the incoming Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, the Deputy Mayor of London and the government’s National Mission Champion for Energy.
Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100, says:
"NESO's report lays bare the scale of the challenge — we need over a thousand miles of new power lines, to double onshore wind, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind by 2030. While the technical pathway is clearly laid out, the crucial role of local authorities in delivering this transformation is largely overlooked. There is no mention of the importance of Local Area Energy Planning.
"At our recent Clean Energy Superpower Summit, local leaders demonstrated they are already driving forward clean energy projects and community engagement. As the bodies responsible for planning decisions and trusted local leadership, councils must be central to delivery plans.
"This transformation may be disruptive, but it doesn't have to be destructive. It requires trusted local leadership to bring communities along on the journey and ensure benefits are felt locally. The government's response to NESO's advice must recognise this by putting local authorities at the heart of delivery plans, with proper resources and powers for transparent, inclusive decision-making in the energy transition."
At the recent UK100 summit, the network launched its Local Net Zero 2.0 report and a local climate engagement toolkit.
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About UK100
UK100’s primary purpose is to support a local-led rapid transition to Net Zero and Clean Air. We do this through collaboration.
To accelerate action, we believe in bringing together the most influential leaders across the country to learn together and agree on priorities for legislative and regulatory change while empowering them to engage with national decision-makers.
We provide our network with the knowledge, tools and connections to make this happen.
More information: Liam Ward, UK100, media@uk100.org.
