2025
Path to Net Zero
Policy Landscape in the UK
Outlook
04 |Outlook
Contracts for Difference (“CfD”) Scheme
Driving Low-Carbon Generation
Grid Connectivity Reforms
Unlocking Grid
Capacity for
Renewable Growth
Great British Energy (“GBE”) Bill
Accelerate
Low-Carbon
Infrastructure
Planning and Infrastructure Bill
Fast-Tracking
Renewable
Approvals
National Wealth Fund (“NFW”)
Net Zero Investment
Agenda
The Crown Estate
Act
Driving Wind
Capacity Growth
Looking ahead, the UK is entering a decisive phase for scaling utility-scale renewables, with momentum building across private capital, public funding, and policy reform.
Overcoming Historical Underinvestment
The UK has historically experienced underinvestment in innovation, supply chains, and grid
infrastructure; current government policy is structured to deploy public funding in a way that
mobilises substantial private capital and anchors investment domestically.
Strong Foundations Feeding Forward Momentum
Building on strong foundations—evidenced by £51 bn of low-carbon investment in 2024, the fourth
highest globally—this approach is intended to accelerate technological advancement and enable
the large-scale delivery of clean energy projects.
Boosted Investor Confidence Since Mid-2024
Since the new UK government took office in July 2024, £43.7 bn of private investment has been
announced in the UK’s clean energy industries, signalling renewed confidence in policy direction
and delivery.
Future Commitments Through the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan
The government’s 10-year Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan (June 2025) doubles annual
investment ambition to £30 bn by 2035, backed by measures to transform the national grid and
develop domestic supply chains across offshore wind, solar, nuclear, hydrogen, and storage.
Public Capital as a Catalyst for System Change
Dedicated funds—including the NWF (£27.8 bn), the £1 bn Clean Energy Supply Chain Fund, and
equity commitments through GBE—are designed to de-risk large-scale projects, strengthen
domestic manufacturing, and crowd in further private investment.
Policy Architecture to Accelerate Delivery
Reforms to CfDs, CM auctions, grid connection processes, and planning rules are improving
bankability, shortening delivery timelines, and ensuring that generation growth is matched with
timely transmission and distribution upgrades.