View the full report, documents and launch event online here: www.neso.energy/publications/future-energy-scenarios-fes
In our first Future Energy Scenarios (FES) report as NESO, titled Future Energy Scenarios: Pathways to Net Zero 2025, we outline our expectation to see electricity demand increase from 290 Terawatt-hour (TWh) today to as much as 785 TWh by 2050. This surge emphasises the need to accelerate the delivery of clean electricity, bioenergy, hydrogen, and energy storage solutions. A clean future in Great Britain also requires empowering homes and businesses to embrace low-carbon heating and adopt energy efficiency measures as part of everyday life.
Pathways to Net Zero
FES 2025 presents three potential pathways to achieve net zero, each varying in its reliance on electrification, hydrogen, bioenergy, and consumer engagement. A common thread among these pathways is the significant reduction in annual emissions, potentially halving to around 200 megatonnes of CO2 a year within the next decade and further shrinking to 100 megatonnes of CO2 by 2040 with the right infrastructure in place.
The changing role of renewables
Britain’s energy infrastructure undergoing a huge transformation, with wind and solar expected to increase grid capacity by up to 98% by 2050. Hydrogen will play a pivotal role, powering the network with between 98 and 325 TWh by the middle of the century. We also believe electric vehicles (EVs) will become the largest source of flexibility, providing 51 GW at peak, which is more than gas fired generation provides today.
How do we get to net zero?
Great Britain’s net zero journey has four key waves. Having laid the initial foundation, the focus now shifts to the second wave: scaling up markets by 2030 to integrate new low-carbon technologies to deliver clean power. Success in this phase will pave the way for the third and fourth waves, leading to growth and completion by 2050.
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