Reimagining Global Britain: challenges and opportunities for the energy transition

The new Labour government has swiftly lifted the de facto ban on onshore wind energy, marking a significant policy shift, set to double Britain’s onshore wind capacity by 2030. Bold decisions on green energy are essential not only to enhance Britain’s energy security and reduce its carbon footprint but also to provide leadership and support for other nations, including those in the Global South, to pursue similar paths.

Leveraging its expertise in analysing Britain’s role in an evolving geopolitical and economic landscape, the global arm of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), NatCen International, argues that challenges around infrastructure and technical expertise in developing countries and concerns around trade-offs in advanced economies are an opportunity for this government to reimagine Britain’s role as a global leader in innovation and sustainability. 

Both advanced and developing economies face significant challenges in the energy transition: 

• In advanced economies, altered natural landscapes, land use conflicts, environmental impacts, and community opposition are key challenges. The BEIS Public Attitudes Tracker shows that 79% of people support the use of onshore wind and that only 4% oppose it. This, however, changes when people are asked about onshore wind in the local area. The tracker shows that 43% would be happy for an onshore wind farm to be built in their local area, with 12% unhappy and 32% either unsure or neutral. Research shows that economic incentives are important factors affecting community acceptance of wind power.
• In developing countries, challenges are technical, legal and financial. For example, the current lack of grid infrastructure capable of handling the influx of offshore wind power, coupled with financial difficulties faced by EVN, the national and the sole public power company in Vietnam, highlights a significant bottleneck. Local communities also voice concerns about lack of transparent communication, fair compensation, and disruption to their crops.
• Developing countries should consider the long-term impacts of hasty developments. China’s early focus on quantitative expansion led to limited technological knowledge development, resulting in an accumulation of problems later. Low-quality power plants negatively impacted turbine manufacturers, who faced increasing maintenance and repair costs. The national grid was also adversely affected by poor-quality turbines. China faces the phenomenon of "wind curtailment," where generated wind power cannot be fully utilised due to grid limitations.

There is an opportunity for global leadership that Britain can provide:

• New genuine partnerships are essential for Britain to become a “clean energy superpower”. To do so effectively will require a shift in how partnerships are developed, recognising that different countries have different incentives, challenges and needs. By fostering partnerships that prioritise local engagement and community involvement in decision-making processes, the UK can help overcome social and environmental challenges often associated with renewable energy projects.
• Evidence-based policy needs to lead the strategic reset of the energy transition globally. Limitations in data and data of poor quality have had direct implications for both policy and programming, especially where international engagement is concerned.

Sherine El Taraboulsi-McCarthy, Founding Director of NatCen International, said: “It is heartening to see the new Labour government’s clean energy ambitions aligned with commitments made by the newly appointed Minister for International Development, Anneliese Dodds, which include rebuilding Britain’s development reputation, developing genuine partnerships with the Global South and acting on climate change. 

Ultimately, by aligning domestic policy shifts with international cooperation and support, Britain has the potential to reshape its global climate leadership. This strategic reset not only enhances energy security and reduces the carbon footprint at home but also sets a precedent for inclusive and sustainable development worldwide.”

For more information please contact:

Emileigh Spurdens, Communications Manager
t:020 7549 8506 e: emileigh.spurdens@natcen.ac.uk