Govt makes huge new clean energy pledge with new Carbon Budget

• Ministers aim to create millions for the economy and save hundreds in bills by cutting emissions by 87%
• Researchers in Singapore have found a way to turn your windows into solar generators
• Octopus Energy claims its new tariff could cut bills by £200

It’s been over a week since the July-September energy price cap was announced, and we’re pleased to say that the government has reacted by refreshing the UK’s renewable energy commitment and pledging to cut  emissions by 87% by 2042. 

This new target means the UK will move faster in its bid to cut ties with fossil fuels, which the government says is “the best choice” to reduce the exposure of families to shocks in the energy market. 

This is great, particularly as an agreement between the US and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t seem likely anytime soon. 

It also follows a record-breaking time for renewable energy. In March, the UK enjoyed the highest monthly numbers for solar panel and EV installations. 

In fact, 90% of the best performing months for solar roll out have happened in the past year, which shows how quickly households in the UK are moving towards renewables as an alternative to expensive and unstable gas. 

Will this continue? We certainly think so, especially if we’re set to have more heatwaves in the coming years. The government’s support of clean energy is encouraging, and hopefully they’ll let us know more about the Warm Homes Plan soon. 

Government unveils Seventh Carbon Plan

The government has said it plans to cut the UK’s emissions by 87% in the years from 2038-2042. This is in response to ballooning energy bills and two major energy crises: Ukraine, and the Strait of Hormuz. The government says families could save around £500 a year by installing solar panels. Let’s hope their upcoming Warm Homes Plan helps meet demand. 

Octopus Energy’s green energy tariff to cut Welsh energy bills by £200

The UK’s largest energy provider has launched Tenant Power, a new green energy tariff to help social households cut their energy bills. Essentially, buildings equipped with solar panels and a compatible battery system will be able to generate their own energy and sell what they don’t use back to the grid. Octopus Energy claims this will cut bills by 30%. 

National Grid plans to ramp up clean energy upgrade

National Grid is trying to get permission for a set of 25 investment upgrades across England and Wales as it tries to help households make the most of clean energy. The plans, which need to be given the go-ahead by Ofgem, would make it easier to transport clean energy from power generation sites to people’s homes, data centres and industrial areas. Together they would cost £4.5bn and are part of the bigger £70bn 2030 upgrade. 

Could your building or EV run on solar windows?

It’s certainly possible. Researchers in Singapore have developed an ultrathin translucent solar cell that can transform windows into solar generators. We’re probably not going to see this rolled out too soon, but with the way solar is taking over the energy mix, it’s not farfetched to imagine it happening one day.  

Red tape on loft conversions to be cut

It’s not only solar panels and heat pumps that can help you cut your energy bills. Insulation is also really important and often the first step in any home improvement. That’s why it’s great that the government is aiming to cut red tape. In this case, councils will be informed that planning permission on small installations should be made by a planning officer, not a committee, which should speed things up. 

Average price of clean technology

Solar PV system: £7,679.00

Solar storage battery: £9,301.85

Air source heat pump: £13,658.42

Ground source heat pump: £20.402.51

Number of the week

£200

That’s how much Octopus Energy thinks they can cut energy bills in Wales with their new green energy tariff. 

Sources

• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-security-jobs-and-investment-boost-through-climate-action
• https://octopus.energy/press/more-news-press-releases/amp-ing-up-savings-tenant-power-arrives-in-wales-cutting-energy-bills-for-social-homes-by-pound200-a-year/ 
• https://www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade/eastern-green-link-5
• https://www.ntu.edu.sg/news/detail/near-invisible-ultrathin-solar-cells-that-could-turn-windows-into-power-generators

Written By

Maximilian Schwerdtfeger Deputy editor

Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024 and became deputy editor in 2025. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining, and retail. He has also written extensively for consumer titles like City AM, The Morning Star, and The Daily Express.

He has represented The Eco Experts on national television several times, including the BBC’s Sunday Morning Live and ITV Tonight .

In 2020, he covered in detail the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) legislation on sulphur emissions and its effects on the global container shipping market as online editor of Port Technology International.

He also explored the initiatives major container ports and terminals have launched in order to ship vital goods across the world without polluting the environment.

Since then, he has reported heavily on the impact made by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on the supply chain of minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining in Africa.

As part of this, in 2022 Max visited mines and ports in Angola to hone in on the challenges being faced by one of the world’s biggest producers of rare earth minerals.

His most recent sustainability-related work came much closer to home, as he investigated the eco-challenges faced by independent retailers in the UK, specifically looking at how they can cut emissions and continue to thrive.

Max lives in South London and is an avid reader of books on modern history. He has also recently learned to play the game Mahjong and takes every opportunity to do so. He is also yet to find a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching.

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Louise Frohlich Editorial Assistant

Joining Eco Experts in April 2024 as Editorial Assistant, Louise has a keen interest in low-carbon technology and enjoys writing about anything sustainability related.

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