UK's green energy plans face real-world test as deadlines approach

At this years climate summit in Baku the host nations leader made an eye-catching statement: fossil fuels are “a gift from God“. Meanwhile Ilham Aliyevʼs countrys deputy minister got caught promoting oil deals in secret meetings

The UK delegation led by Sir Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband faced an awkward situation: while talking about renewable energy back home‚ Britain was dealing with a wind-power shortage (known as Dunkelflaute in energy circles)

The technical problems facing UKʼs green plans are getting bigger:

• Not enough ships to build wind farms
• Lack of high-voltage cables
• Shortage of trained engineers
• Limited storage solutions
• Declining nuclear capacity

During Feb-March 2024 wind turbines worked at just 11% capacity - the longest such period in 10 years. Scientists think climate change might make these wind droughts more common; wind speeds could drop 3% by 2050

Storage issues create the biggest headache: current battery tech cant handle long periods without wind. Hydrogen storage wastes about two-thirds of power in the process (and its still not ready for large-scale use)

Nuclear power - once UKs proud achievement - is almost gone. Four out of five plants will close in next 5 years; leaving just Sizewell B running. The new Hinkley Point C wont be ready until 2029-31

Claire Coutinho shadow energy secretary points out: “Britain has halved emissions since 1990‚ but were only 1% of global emissions“. She thinks strict targets might hurt living standards without helping climate

Public support for green policies is dropping. Recent polls show less backing for low-traffic zones electric car subsidies and meat taxes. People worry more about living costs than climate goals these days

The math doesnt add up: experts say UK needs storage capacity 1000 times larger than now‚ costing as much as HS2 every year. Without better tech or nuclear power many think the 2030 clean power target is just a dream