NZTC survey reveals cost as the main barrier to adopting clean energy technologies
Our future energy mix is an interdependent and clean mix that will ensure secure, reliable and cheaper energy supply.
Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) has conducted a survey to capture the opinion of those at the heart of the renewables sector.
Survey respondents ranked wind (35%), green hydrogen (18%) and electrification (13%) as most important for an optimum energy mix, whilst solar and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) were viewed as least important.
When asked what they felt the biggest barrier to adopting clean energy technologies were, over a third (35%) of respondents selected cost, followed by legislation/regulation (26%).
Hydrogen was elected second to wind in terms of what the UK needs for an optimum energy mix. Half of the respondents selected transitioning the UK’s oil and gas supply chain as the biggest opportunity for hydrogen, with a quarter believing it provided an opportunity to build UK manufacturing capabilities.
The issue of cost was evident again, with 37% citing technology price point being the biggest challenge facing the delivery of Scotland’s Hydrogen Economy, followed by policy framework and market (29%).
Mary Thorogood, Government Relations, External Affairs & Communications Director, said, “The investments that will be made following the ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds will help reduce costs, but further investment is required to continue that journey and secure the opportunity for Scotland’s supply chain. We need to drive technology down the cost reduction curve and provide an actionable roadmap to ensure floating offshore wind-powered green hydrogen is a cost-effective solution in the energy transition. We have seen this happen with fixed wind and oil and gas. Floating wind and green hydrogen are no different.”
