Britain to miss net zero target despite billions of investment, warn analysts

DNV’s warnings are supported by separate research from Energy UK, the trade body for power suppliers, showing the UK faces a serious shortfall in its 2030 offshore wind targets.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has set a target of expanding offshore wind from 14 Gigawatts (GW) to 50GW by 2030. It means installing one or two turbines every day for the next six years.

He tried to encourage new construction by offering a minimum price for the power delivered by new windfarms – the Contracts for Difference system – which was successful up to 2022.

Last year, however, Grant Shapps, the then energy secretary, offered such a low minimum price for power from new wind farms that no companies were willing to build them. This has put construction back by years and makes it almost certain the UK will miss its 2030 target.

Energy UK’s analysis has found that the UK will fall short of its 2030 target by at least 7GW – equivalent to two new nuclear power stations.The lost turbines would power 25pc of UK homes or cut out emissions equivalent to those produced by the whole of Essex.

Adam Berman, Energy UK’s deputy director, said the government must re-establish the UK’s lead.

He said: “Offshore wind plays a vital role in the Government’s clean energy ambitions … Delivering an ambitious renewables programme in line with the Government’s targets means being realistic about the economic and market conditions that potential investors are facing.”

The energy department was contacted for comment.