Electricity decarbonisation targets and the distribution dilemma

The new Labour government in the UK has set a target of decarbonising the electricity grid by 2030, five years ahead of the previous government's target of 2035. In this policy perspective paper, I summarise what is required and what is likely to be developed in terms of energy capacity, and the three challenges the government faces in terms of delivery (planning, funding, co-ordination). I argue that the government proposals to meet these challenges creates a ‘distribution dilemma’ in which the pursuit of speed and expediency places transitional costs on consumers rather than the state or industry at a time when energy costs are already very high. These tensions highlight distributive issues which may prove a more significant barrier to energy transitions than the technological challenges.