Powering up or falling short? A solar industry perspective on the Lords’ clean power warning

Darren Lewis | 4/6/2025

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee’s recent report, Power struggle: delivering Great Britain’s electricity grid infrastructure, delivers a clear warning. The UK is in serious danger of missing its target to decarbonise the electricity system by ninety-five percent by 2030 unless there is urgent acceleration in the rollout of both energy generation and grid infrastructure.

From the perspective of those of us in the solar sector, this warning is not surprising. It is also a call to action. Solar energy is one of the fastest to deploy and most cost-effective clean power sources available. But the systems meant to support it are stuck in an outdated model.

Credits: Solar Ivy/SMIT

Infrastructure bottlenecks and planning delays

The report highlights the lack of grid readiness as a major barrier. Many solar projects are stuck in limbo, not because of technical limitations, but due to planning delays and lengthy grid connection queues. Without investment in both the physical network and the planning system, we will not unlock the solar potential this country clearly has.

The committee’s suggestion to ring-fence planning fees for local planning authorities is one of the more practical proposals. Giving councils the resources to move faster would be a good start.

Zonal pricing and unintended consequences

The idea of zonal pricing is also raised. This would charge different regions different prices based on supply and demand. In theory, this could encourage generation where it is most efficient. But in practice, it may introduce risk and uncertainty for developers and raise prices in areas that can least afford it.

For solar developers, particularly in less sunny regions, this could tip a project from viable to abandoned. If zonal pricing is introduced, it must come with a proper impact assessment and support to avoid creating a two-tier energy system.

What we really need is a joined-up plan

The report rightly notes that there is a lack of strategic oversight. We have ambitious targets but no shared national plan or clear metrics to track progress. This absence of joined-up thinking makes it difficult for businesses like ours to plan ahead or invest with confidence.

In conclusion

This report does not tell us anything new, but it says it clearly and in the right tone. We need less talk and more action. We need a coordinated national strategy that supports renewable energy at every level, from grid access to planning approvals.

The solar industry is ready. What we need now is the political will and practical reforms to make it happen.