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Impacts of climate change
The effects of climate change can be seen around us, both nationally and globally. Wildfires have broken out more frequently across Europe and our own weather has been more temperamental. 2022 was the first year in which a temperature above 40C was recorded in the UK.[1] To tackle climate change the International Energy Agency (IEA) has highlighted that renewable electricity, in particular solar, is key in reducing carbon emissions and achieving 2030 targets.[2]
Climate change poses one of the most serious threats to food production in the UK. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has estimated that climate change could reduce the UK’s stock of high-grade agricultural land by three quarters by 2050.[3]
[1] Met Office, ‘Record breaking 2022 indicative of future UK climate’, July 2023
[2] IEA, ‘Net Zero Roadmap Update’, September 2023
[3] Solar Energy UK, ‘Solar farms and food security: the facts’, September 2022
The need for ground-mounted solar
The UK has set ambitious and legally binding targets to eliminate carbon emissions and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.[4] Large-scale solar development is recognised as having an important role to play in helping achieve this target. The British Energy Security Strategy, published in April 2022, outlined the aim to increase the UK’s solar capacity fivefold by 2035 – equivalent to around 70 gigawatts (GW) total generation capacity.[5]
To achieve this, the UK must install an average of 4.15 GW in solar capacity per year. Whilst rooftop solar is also part of this solution, projects such as Botley West are essential to be able to reach these targets, due to its ability to produce power on a much more efficient scale.
[4] UK Government, ‘PM recommits UK to Net Zero by 2050’, September 2023.
[5] UK Government, ‘British Energy Security Strategy’, April 2022
The affordability of solar
Solar is the most affordable form of electricity in the UK, [6] which means that it can help to reduce household energy bills caused by the continued use of gas. Botley West could reduce our reliance on foreign gas imports, providing an equivalent amount of electricity for up to 330,000 homes. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has identified solar as being central to the future of electricity generation in a recent report, with solar estimated to be roughly 35% cheaper than costs predicted for combined-cycle gas turbine power plant in 2025.[7]
[6] Solar Energy UK, ‘Everything Under the Sun: The Facts About Solar Energy’, March 2022
[7] UK Government, ‘Electricity generation costs 2023’, August 2023
Local climate targets
Oxfordshire has set ambitious climate targets for the county, which Botley West would contribute to. The Oxfordshire Energy Strategy, signed up to by all councils within Oxfordshire, agreed a target of a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and 100% net zero carbon emissions by 2050.[8]
[8] OXLEP, ‘The Oxfordshire Energy Strategy’.
The need for home-grown energy infrastructure
As gas prices rise and energy bills increase, the UK is in need of a more reliable and secure supply of energy. This is essential in making us more resilient against potential blackouts, meet growing energy demands and improve our energy security. It can be achieved by increasing our own generating capacity and number of generating assets, through renewable energy projects such as Botley West.
Building infrastructure where it is needed most
Within Oxfordshire, there is a need to increase electricity generation to support demand. The county is committed to extensive growth and intends to lead on energy innovation.[8]
These targets lead to a need to increase the capacity of electricity generation within Oxfordshire. This includes both the development of connecting infrastructure, through substations built by National Grid and other electricity suppliers, as well as new generating stations, such as Botley West.
Botley West has secured a grid connection with National Grid in close proximity to the site, allowing for supporting both Oxfordshire’s ambition to increase their solar generating capacity from 300 MW to 1900 MW by 2030, 8 as well as supplying electricity to an area where the demand is growing and where there is capacity to accommodate it.
[8] OXLEP, ‘The Oxfordshire Energy Strategy’.