Move over wind farms: why some argue cutting costs is the best way to cut carbon

Move over wind farms: why some argue cutting costs is the best way to cut carbon

Gavin Tait, a 69-year-old resident of Glasgow, proudly identifies as an early adopter of new technology. When he retired a decade ago, he invested in renewable energy systems, including solar panels, a home battery, and a heat pump. “It felt like an obvious choice,” he says. “I could save money and help the environment—why wouldn’t I?” Initially, the setup worked well. His well-insulated home stayed warm, and energy bills dropped. But as winter approached, things changed. “I noticed my electricity bills were rising sharply,” he explains. This season, he and his wife opted to revert to their gas boiler, which they had kept as a backup.

“It’s straightforward,” he says. “Economically, it just doesn’t stack up.”

Gavin’s situation isn’t isolated. A survey of 1,000 heat pump owners conducted last summer by Censuswide for Ecotricity revealed that two-thirds reported higher heating costs than before. For critics of government policy, these stories highlight a broader concern: progress in replacing gas boilers and petrol cars is slowing, despite ambitious targets. They argue ministers are misaligned, prioritizing the cleanup of electricity generation over sectors that account for over 40% of the UK’s emissions—namely heating and transport.

The cost of clean energy

These critics claim the government’s fixation on renewable electricity is inflating costs. While electricity generation itself is a small part of total emissions—around 10%—the infrastructure required to support it is growing. As the system shifts toward renewables, demand for backup power and expanded networks increases. Sir Dieter Helm, professor of economic policy at Oxford University, notes that focusing solely on generation costs overlooks the system’s overall expenses. “It all depends on what you choose to measure,” he says.

“Electricity must be available all the time—not just when the wind blows or the sun shines,” Helm explains. “That means backup generation, extra capacity, and a more complex grid.”

To illustrate, Helm points out that the UK’s peak electricity demand is about 45 gigawatts (GW). Previously, this could be met with roughly 60GW from coal, gas, and nuclear plants. Now, with renewables, the system requires closer to 120GW. Meanwhile, expanding the grid to transport offshore wind power to populated areas adds to network charges. Subsidy schemes also contribute significantly, covering around 10% of the average household bill until recently.

A delicate balance

The government maintains that pushing for renewables will eventually reduce reliance on imported gas, lower emissions, and cut bills. However, the current cost dynamics challenge this. With oil and gas prices climbing due to Middle Eastern conflicts, fears of prolonged high energy costs have intensified. Critics question whether the government is chasing the wrong goals by emphasizing electricity generation while neglecting heating and transport.

Some argue that while generating renewable electricity can be affordable, the broader system is becoming more expensive. The transition to cleaner power may offer long-term benefits, but in the short term, it risks making essential services like heating and transport less economical for households.