Over the past month, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) urged the UK Government to take more measures to prepare for 2°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels by 2050, advising that a lack of preparation may leave the UK vulnerable to economic and health risks¹.

With such a clear call for climate action, we highlight some encouraging progress that has been made, including record-breaking renewable energy generation levels, as well as the UK Government’s newly-launched plan to provide a skilled workforce for the energy transition. We also explore Statkraft’s new Green Transition Scenarios 2025 report, which outlines how external factors may impact the pace of the energy transition across the globe.

You can find out more about these stories, as well as other news related to renewable energy and sustainability, in November’s Bryt Insight:

Following the reduction in prices at the end of September, long-term wholesale electricity prices climbed during the first few days of October. This was due to:

• Increases in the price of gas, due to attacks from Russia on gas production in Ukraine. As electricity prices are heavily affected by gas prices, this meant an increase in long-term electricity prices.
• Cold weather in Europe creating an increase in demand for electricity through heating.
• Increasing Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) costs from Asia.

After this initial increase, long-term wholesale electricity prices dropped, due to revised warmer weather forecasts and lower LNG prices. Based on this, prices reached a seven-week low as we reached the middle of the month. From this point, long-term wholesale electricity prices remained stable, with annual contracts for three years in the future decreasing slightly.

Like long-term electricity prices, short-term wholesale electricity prices began the month on an increase. However, unlike long-term prices, short-term prices remained high in the first half of the month, due to cold weather causing an increase in demand for heating. Alongside this, a low level of renewable energy was generated across central Europe, meaning that European electricity prices were high, which in turn, impacted UK electricity prices.

In the second half of October, increased wind generation from windy conditions caused short-term wholesale electricity prices, especially day-ahead prices, to drop dramatically. An increase in imported electricity from Europe through interconnectors, and increased nuclear generation, also contributed towards this drop.

Looking ahead to winter, early forecasts for November indicate lower temperatures, wind levels and rainfall across the UK and much of western Europe. Along with this, there is continued uncertainty regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, one interconnector between the UK and Europe will be closed until December 1^st, and another will have their capacity reduced by half until mid-January. These factors indicate higher prices.

On the other hand, gas prices are falling due to a lack of demand across October, which has led to more availability of LNG shipments to Europe, and increased gas storage. These factors could counterbalance the other upward drivers.

Forecasts for December and January’s wholesale electricity prices also look to be high, as weather forecasts indicate lower than usual levels of wind generation, and a lack of rainfall may impact hydro energy generation, whilst cold temperatures may increase demand for heating.

February forecasts indicate warmer weather across most of Europe, increased wind generation and heavier rainfall, which may cause electricity prices to decrease.

Across October, prices for Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certificates for all years dropped. Short-term prices saw the most drastic decrease, with prices for the current year decreasing to lows not seen since the early 2020s.

Renewable energy has overtaken coal’s share in the global electricity mix for the first time, marking a major turning point in the future of energy². From January to June 2025, renewables’ share in the global electricity mix rose from 32.7% to 34.3%, compared to the same six month period in 2024, while coal fell from 34.2% to 33.1%.

Compared to January to June 2024, solar generation has increased by nearly a third – meeting 83% of the increase in global demand for electricity – with wind generation also growing by over 7%. This milestone demonstrates that renewable energy is fully capable to keep pace with growing electricity demand.

To continue this news, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has found that global renewable energy capacity is expected to more than double by 2030³. This anticipated increase of 4,600 gigawatts (GW) is the equivalent of adding the combined energy generation capacity of China, Japan, and the European Union (EU). 80% of this increase will be the result of solar PV growth, followed by wind and then hydro energy.

Although this forecast does not reach the COP28 tripling pledge, the IEA affirms that the target could still be brought closer; if governments across the globe invest heavily in aspects such as grid infrastructure and flexibility, renewable capacity could reach 2.8 times 2022 levels by 2030. It’s therefore encouraging to see renewable energy capacity reaching new heights, but shows there’s still much more to be done.

In their newly launched ‘Clean Energy Jobs Plan’, the UK Government have outlined their plan to build a ‘clean’ energy workforce across the country. The Government’s plan aims to deliver this workforce whilst ensuring that the workers are financially supported and have the best workers’ rights possible.

In order to achieve this ambition, the Government aims to provide an additional £1.2 billion per year to support the development of ‘clean’ energy skills, establish five Clean Energy Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs), and will support the transition of North Sea workers into ‘clean’ energy sectors, with up to £20 million of funding.

Although the Government acknowledges that the UK has fallen behind other European countries in terms of the amount of renewable energy jobs per capita, the plan affirms their determination for the UK to lead the global race for jobs in the ‘clean’ energy sector.

It’s essential that the energy transition is supported by a skilled workforce, and also that this workforce is given the training, job and salary security, and union support they need. To read more about the Government’s plans to deliver the ‘clean’ energy workforce, visit here⁴.

GHG Protocol launches two public consultations

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) has announced two public consultations, lasting for a 60-day period⁵. One of these consultations is focused on updating its Scope 2 Guidance (2015), a framework that provides advice for businesses reporting on their emissions from purchased electricity, helping to ensure that the framework is reflective of the changing energy systems and disclosure requirements seen worldwide. The other consultation addresses methods of estimating, and accounting for, the avoided emissions from the impact of ‘clean’ energy procurement.

To find out more about how you can participate in the feedback period, visit here⁶.

Data centres are moving locations due to grid delays

One of the biggest challenges faced by UK data centre developers is being able to secure grid connections, according to a recent poll. Although the UK data centre sector is projected to potentially add £44 billion to the UK’s economy by 2035, over half (54%) of developers see securing grid connections as one of the biggest hurdles, with 84% considering network reliability as vital. The cost of energy and pricing uncertainty exacerbates these delays, according to 36% of respondents.

Delays in the process of connecting data centres to the grid, due to data network or connectivity restrictions, has led to half of all data centre projects having to change location. As well as this, the cost of grid connections means that 76% of respondents are interested in exploring international, more affordable alternative locations, such as in Africa and Asia.

Removing these data centre projects from the UK economy may impair the financial benefits the UK could reap from the sector’s growth, but the poll shows that 64% of developers are still optimistic that Britain can become a leader in data centres. It’s crucial that these barriers to grid connections are addressed, as grid connections are not only essential for data centres, but also for the energy transition as a whole.

To access the full findings, visit here⁸.

Fewer than 90 nations submitted climate pledges ahead of COP30

Less than 90 nations updated their 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP30 (Conference of the Parties 30)⁹, which started on Monday 10^th November. The pledges of each nation represent their determination to limit climate change, with increasingly ambitious targets to reduce emissions with an explanation of how they will be met.

As well as the nations who had submitted their NDCs by the initial UN deadline, many countries announced their pledges at the UN Climate Week hosted in New York, including China. Additionally, the European Union (EU) also submitted their NDC a few days ahead of COP30. Despite this progress, many nations have yet to submit their NDCs, but we’re hopeful to see more updates during the next few weeks while COP30 discussions progress.

Later this month, we will be updating you on the key takeaways from COP30, especially regarding any impacts on the energy industry and renewable energy. In the meantime, you can find out more about COP30 here¹⁰.

Over half of new car registrations in the UK are electrified

For the first time on record, over half of all new UK cars registered in the month of September were either hybrid or fully electric vehicles (EVs), according to research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This included 72,779 registered battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – the highest registered amount yet in a single month for BEVs. Driving factors for this increase were the growing number of various models for consumers to choose from, discounts from manufacturers, and the Government’s Electric Car Grant.

The largest increase was recorded amongst fleets, which is a group of vehicles under one organisation, which grew 16.9% to 174,336 units, whilst business registrations had the biggest increase by percentage, rising 28.6% to reach 7,552.

It’s positive to see this rise in EVs as the UK moves towards decarbonising transport, and we anticipate continued growth as the Government phases out the selling of new petrol and diesel cars. To find out more about this milestone, visit here¹¹.

Great Britain powered solely by ‘clean’ energy for a record-breaking 87 hours in 2025

Great Britain’s electricity demand has been entirely supplied by ‘clean’ energy sources for a total of 87 hours across 2025 so far¹². In 2021, this number was 2.5 hours, and in 2024, it was 64.5 hours, demonstrating the rapid growth of Britain’s ‘clean’ electricity capacity.

During these hours, wind energy supplied 72% of Britain’s electricity demand, solar power made up 10%, and hydro energy 1%, with the remainder supplied by nuclear and biomass power. These sources, combined, generated 105% of national demand during these hours, which meant that excess energy, from all sources on the grid, could be exported through interconnectors to European countries. So far, the longest period recorded where these renewable electricity sources supplied 100% of demand occurred in May, and made up 15 hours consecutively.

This achievement is a positive indicator in the lead up to the Government’s goal to decarbonise Great Britain’s grid by 2030, but this momentum must continue and accelerate if Britain is to reach this target.

Statkraft released their annual energy report, ‘Green Transition Scenarios 2025’

Statkraft’s Green Transition Scenarios 2025 energy report has now been released, outlining the progress that has been made so far in the global energy transition, as well as how it may continue in the future.

In their report, Statkraft explores three different energy transition scenarios, on a global and European scale. This includes:

• the Green Transition Scenario, in which they describe an optimistic but feasible setting, where innovation, collaboration and policy change works to accelerate the energy transition
• the Delayed Transition Scenario, in which trade remains stable but geopolitical tensions impact progress
• the Unrest Scenario, which sees a more significant delay to the energy transition, due to geopolitical hostility, amongst other challenges

Although the report acknowledges that the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target is now increasingly out of reach, and that our next goal may be to limit warming to under 2°C, it also highlights that the energy transition will continue to progress regardless of which scenario comes to light. Wind and solar energy will continue to grow in all scenarios, and battery storage will continue to decrease in price, unlocking essential flexibility for electricity grids.

To access Statkraft’s full report, visit here¹³.

Largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Great Britain is now live, supported by Statkraft

Thurrock Storage, located in Essex, is a 300MW / 600MWh BESS scheme from Statera Energy. With support from Statkraft’s optimisation services, the BESS is now dispatching renewable energy to the grid and supporting a more flexible energy system.

Statkraft first signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to provide the BESS with their market-leading optimisation services, alongside a revenue floor structure to support with a guaranteed income level, in 2023. Through close collaboration between Statera Energy and Statkraft, the BESS is now delivering flexibility to the grid, marking a significant milestone in Great Britain’s journey towards creating a flexible, reliable grid that is powered by renewables.

To find out more about Thurrock Storage, find Statkraft’s announcement here¹⁴.

Statkraft’s Cushaling Wind Farm and BESS project in County Offaly is now operational

Statkraft’s Cushaling Wind Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), located in County Offaly in Ireland, is now fully operational. The project includes a 55.8MW wind farm and a 20MW / 4-hour BESS, with the tallest wind turbines found on any wind farm in Ireland, at 185 metres.

As Ireland’s first grid-scale battery of this duration, the project completion marks a national milestone. The BESS will facilitate the storing of the wind farm’s renewable energy, to be dispatched to Ireland’s grid when needed, to support grid stability.

You can find out more about Statkraft’s project here¹⁵.

If you have any questions about how these updates might affect you or would like to find out more, our team of experts are happy to provide further insight. You can contact them on 0330 053 8620 or at heretohelp@brytenergy.co.uk.