Deploying a large volume of renewables remains the cheapest approach to decarbonisation even when accounting for system integration costs, according to a study by E3G
The report highlights an ‘increasing body of evidence’ showing that the power system could operate securely and at least cost with more than 50% of demand being met from renewables.
“System integration costs are predicted to remain less than £10/MWh for a wide range of system characteristics at these increased levels of penetration.”
The report also shows that, on the current trajectory, onshore wind would be at least 22% cheaper than nuclear power, and that offshore wind and solar would also deliver savings.