Orsted’s cancellation of the Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm project delivers a significant setback to the UK government’s clean energy targets. This 2.4GW project, capable of powering over a million homes, has been deemed economically unviable by the Danish energy giant, despite a 15-year power purchase agreement with the UK government.

This follows a similar decision by Vattenfall, who halted development of a 1.4GW wind farm off Norfolk, citing escalating costs. While RWE has acquired and plans to proceed with the Norfolk project, the challenges faced by offshore developers raise serious questions about the feasibility of the government’s ambitious 2030 clean power target.

The government acknowledges the impact of global inflation and supply chain issues. However, achieving their goal of increasing clean energy generation from 50% to 95% by 2030 requires tripling offshore wind capacity and significantly expanding solar and onshore wind power, according to Aurora Energy estimates. This necessitates substantial grid upgrades, including hundreds of miles of new power lines.

The ambitious timeline faces opposition from local communities concerned about new energy infrastructure and skepticism from industry experts, including prominent economists like Dieter Helm, who considers the 2030 target unrealistic. While Chris Stark, head of the Clean Power 2030 mission, acknowledges the significant challenge, he maintains that it remains achievable with a “Herculean effort.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband defends the plan’s ambition, highlighting its importance for reducing energy bills, tackling climate change, and enhancing energy security. The government remains committed to its clean energy goals, expressing its intent to work with Orsted to revive the Hornsea 4 project and emphasizing the continued viability of its overall clean power mission.

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The £800m solar farm would cover 1,000 hectares of Oxford countryside.

It is hoped the major project will help cut carbon emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes per year.

Marie and Simon Haythornthwaite are trying to reclaim £1,700 from solar power firm Fusion8 Ltd.

The government say the findings, shown on an open source map, present a worrying picture.

The site near Howden will cover 3,155 acres and generate enough electricity to power 100,000 homes.

Orsted, a Danish energy firm, has canceled plans for the Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm off the East Yorkshire coast, a significant setback for the UK government’s clean energy goals.

This project, with a potential capacity of 2.4GW, would have been one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, powering over a million homes. Orsted cited economic infeasibility, despite a 15-year power purchase agreement with the UK government.

The UK’s offshore wind sector has experienced escalating costs, a fact acknowledged by the government. A Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) spokesperson attributed this to global inflation and supply chain issues.

This cancellation follows Vattenfall’s July 2023 halt of a 1.4GW Norfolk wind farm project, also due to rising costs. However, that project was subsequently acquired by RWE and remains under development.

These challenges raise serious questions about the feasibility of the Labour government’s “Clean Power by 2030” target—one of its five key missions. Currently, wind, solar, nuclear, and biomass provide just over half of the UK’s electricity. The government aims to increase this to 95% within five years.

Meeting this target requires tripling offshore wind capacity and doubling solar and onshore wind power, according to Aurora Energy estimates. A substantial grid upgrade, including 620 miles of new power lines and substations, is also needed.

This ambitious plan faces opposition from local communities concerned about new energy infrastructure. Industry experts and opposition parties question the 2030 target’s achievability.

Professor Dieter Helm of Oxford University highlights the near-impossibility of such rapid infrastructure development. Chris Stark, head of the Clean Power 2030 mission, acknowledges the difficulty but believes it’s attainable with significant effort.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband defends the plan as essential for reducing energy bills, addressing climate change, and ensuring energy security. The government intends to collaborate with Orsted to revive Hornsea 4 and remains confident in achieving its clean power mission.

Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter for the latest climate and environment news from the BBC’s Justin Rowlatt. For international readers: sign up here.

Cotesbach Landfill Gas Project, near Rugby, traps methane and uses it to generate green energy.

The £800m solar farm would cover 1,000 hectares of Oxford countryside.

It is hoped the major project will help cut carbon emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes per year.

Marie and Simon Haythornthwaite are trying to reclaim £1,700 from solar power firm Fusion8 Ltd.

The government say the findings, shown on an open source map, present a worrying picture.