Clean Power 2030 isn’t just a plan for cleaner electricity. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how we build, connect and power our infrastructure across the UK.
For the construction industry, it means real work, and a lot of it.
-
Around £40 billion a year in energy infrastructure investment through to 2030, much of it construction-driven
-
Over 80 major transmission, grid and renewable energy projects already in the pipeline
-
Projects reaching every UK nation, from coastal wind farms to rural substations
Clean Power 2030 will rely on the skills, expertise and delivery capacity of UK construction. Whether it’s laying HVDC cables, installing wind turbines, building substations or upgrading port capacity, this is the next big chapter for the sector.
But it won’t be easy. Clean energy construction demand is rising, planning rules are shifting, and renewable energy supply chains are under pressure. That’s why it’s vital to get ahead now, before competition heats up.
Clean Power 2030 is one of the biggest shifts the UK energy sector has seen in generations. With £200 billion of planned investment, it aims to fully decarbonise the electricity system by 2030.
But it’s not just about net zero targets. It’s about building smart, connected, low-carbon infrastructure that helps us move faster, work cleaner and stay ahead.
Why it matters for the planet
Public bodies are backing Clean Power 2030 as a turning point for the UK’s clean energy future:
-
Government: Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called it "the most ambitious reforms to our energy system in generations," tying the plan to new jobs, lower bills and stronger energy security.
-
Ofgem: Described upcoming grid changes as a "step change" to move away from fossil fuels and keep energy affordable.
We’re already feeling the pressure of climate change: hotter summers, tougher storms and more strain on national infrastructure. The UK’s net zero by 2050 goal is part of a global push to keep warming below 1.5°C.
Clean Power 2030 puts us on that path. By cutting emissions from power generation, we create the foundation for cleaner transport, cleaner homes and a lower-carbon economy.
What is Clean Power 2030?
It’s the UK’s plan to clean up electricity for good — and fast.
Clean Power 2030 targets include:
-
Quadruple offshore wind to 50GW: enough to power every UK home twice
-
Triple solar power capacity to 70GW by 2035: covering an area bigger than Birmingham
-
Double onshore wind to 30GW: around 5,000 new turbines
-
Deliver 5GW of floating offshore wind: still early-stage, but full of potential
-
Expand nuclear: from Hinkley Point C and future sites like Sizewell C
Offshore wind alone could create 70,000 jobs. But the bigger impact? A cleaner, more reliable and more secure electricity system that supports every other sector.
What it will take to deliver
Clean Power 2030 is a huge opportunity for the UK construction and infrastructure sector, but it needs momentum. To stay on track, we’ll need to:
-
Speed up clean energy project delivery: 2023 saw just 3GW of new low-carbon generation. We’ll need over 11GW per year to meet targets.
-
Boost funding certainty: Renewable energy developers need stronger financial backing to move from plan to build.
-
Unblock the grid: Transmission upgrades and grid connections must keep pace with new generation.
-
Simplify planning and approvals: Faster, clearer decisions will help turn ambition into shovel-ready projects.
None of this is out of reach. But it does mean acting now, and acting together.
Energy isn't the only busy sector
This isn’t happening in a vacuum.
Clean Power 2030 overlaps with AMP8 in water and major transport and housing programmes.
Key themes across utilities:
-
Over £300 billion in combined clean energy and utilities investment
- A collective 300,000 operatives required to replace retirees and meet demand
-
2025 to 2030 delivery window — peak construction phase
-
Shared focus on sustainability, resilience and tech-enabled project delivery
Everything’s moving at once.
The challenge now is keeping pace and staying competitive.
Lead the charge
With 200,000 workers needed to deliver more than £200 billion in infrastructure by 2030, scaling the workforce and keeping it safe is the key to succeeding across the next five years.
But scaling a workforce at pace and ensuring compliance and safety is a big challenge. To manage it successfully your organisation is going to need the right tools. And Causeway have built the exact tool you need: Utilities Passport.
It's a sector-wide worker ID scheme which allows workers to carry all their credentials and skills with them. We're convinced it provides the structure and data the sector needs to thrive whilst keeping operatives safe
