UK’s carbon emissions may turn negative by 2033, says National Grid

As the UK relied extensively on renewable energy sources to generate power in the recent years, the new research report by National Grid ESO stated that carbon emission from the nation’s electricity systems could turn negative as early as 2033.
The report provides an overview of key areas in decarbonization and the future of the green energy systems in the nation. The report stated that reaching zero carbon emissions by 2050 or earlier is ‘achievable’ but this needs ‘immediate action across’ all key policy areas and technologies.
The report also presents an approach to attain the net zero-emission targets, which includes fundamental changes for energy consumers, particularly in heating, transport, and energy efficiency.
National Grid expects a significant boom in renewable energy projects along with an extensive rollout of electric vehicles. The report estimated there will be more than 11 million EVs will drive on UK roads by 2030 and more than 30 million by 2040.
The report also expects a significant transformation in consumer energy use, including the end of gas boilers and better energy efficiency. Millions of houses will consume less energy and will depend on heat pumps fitted with ‘heat batteries’.
The National Grid ESO said that the on-going Covid-19 pandemic will also have an impact on the energy landscape in the future.
Speaking on which, Mark Herring, Head of Strategy at National Grid ESO said that the report paints an exciting picture of net-zero emissions in the United Kingdom with electricity playing a pivotal role in meeting the 2050 emissions targets.
Accessing all scenarios, the company concluded that the UK will witness significant growth in the renewable energy generation including considerable expansion in offshore wind plant deployment, he said adding that renewable energy is taking the nation faster towards net zero emissions than one anticipated.
Source Credit - https://renews.biz/61967/uk-power-sector-could-have-negative-emissions-by-2033/