Lightsource BP and REA Lead Global Dialogue on Solar Power’s Triple Challenge at COP28

In a bid to catalyze global efforts toward achieving the target of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, Lightsource BP and the Renewable Energy Association (REA) of the United Kingdom took center stage at COP28. The focal point of their initiative was a comprehensive roundtable discussion that delved into the pivotal role of solar power in facilitating an inclusive energy transition that prioritizes both people and nature.

With 117 nations committed to tripling their renewable energy capacity within the next decade, the key question resonating throughout the session was how this ambitious commitment could be effectively realized.

Lightsource BP, drawing on over a decade of experience, showcased its dedication to meaningful community engagement and a proactive stance on preserving nature. This commitment aligns with the broader global initiative, as evidenced by the World Economic Forum’s white paper, which emphasizes the imperative of a people-centric approach in the scaling up of clean power.

Kristen Panerali, Head of Clean Power, Grids, and Electrification at the World Economic Forum, emphasized the need to elevate community engagement to unprecedented levels, stating, “Tripling renewables is going to require a massive infrastructure build and it was inevitably going to intersect with people and nature. It is critical that we take community engagement to the next level,” said Kristen Panerali, Head of Clean Power, Grids and Electrification, WEF, who participated in the roundtable.

The responsible advancement of solar power also demands a proactive strategy regarding nature and biodiversity. Lightsource BP has committed to achieving a biodiversity net gain, striving for an increase in measured biodiversity before and after sites become operational across its global portfolio. Independent studies of the company’s solar farms in the UK have demonstrated the potential for substantial improvements, a crucial aspect as the UK sets its sights on ambitious solar targets.

Addressing the UK’s Mission Zero review, Chris Skidmore MP, leader of an independent review into the country’s 2050 net-zero commitment, highlighted the call for a solar revolution stating, “The Mission Zero review in the UK called for a solar revolution to install 70GW of solar power by 2035. The REA has done a lot of work to demonstrate not just the challenges that we must address to unblock solar deployment but also what [about] that opportunity to deliver cheaper, greener, cleaner energy at scale so households get cheaper bills and at the same time we can ensure that the deployment of solar is best placed to deliver for communities across the UK.”