Record renewable generation highlights the need to protect existing assets

As the Government continues to pursue its Clean Power 2030 ambitions, the figures are likely to fuel debate around how further renewable capacity can be delivered. However, while the focus often falls on bringing forward new projects, industry experts have warned that maintaining and upgrading existing renewable assets will be equally important in supporting the UK’s long-term energy transition.

Paul Dinning, Infrastructure & Energy Director at Walker Morris, said: “The latest figures reinforce the increasingly important role renewable energy is playing in the UK’s electricity system and the progress being made towards a cleaner energy mix. However, maintaining that momentum is not just about delivering new projects.

“Many of the assets that helped establish the UK’s renewable energy sector are in the twilight of permitted operation. Repowering can extend the asset life of existing renewable energy projects, and also increase generation capacity and make better use of established infrastructure, but doing so will involve major reinvestment decisions. Without reinvestment, there is a risk that some older renewable energy assets could be decommissioned, resulting in the loss of generation capacity that is already contributing to the UK’s clean energy ambitions.”

He added: “As policymakers focus on delivering Clean Power 2030, supporting the reinvestment of existing renewable assets should be seen as a key part of the solution. NESO’s annual Gate 2 Methodology submission to Ofgem in June 2026 seeks to prioritise qualifying repowering projects in the connections queue, while keeping their treatment under the permitted capacity allocation limit under review, could strengthen the investment case for repowering compared with new developments. However, the industry is still awaiting approval from Ofgem. Retaining and enhancing capacity that is already connected to the network could prove just as important as bringing forward the next generation of renewable energy projects.”