Identified risks to the UK’s Net Zero energy supply and demand technologies
5 August 2025
A new paper identifies key climate risks to the UK’s Net Zero energy supply and demand technologies, and has been published in Carbon Management by Kuriakose, J., Martínez Ceseña, E. A., & Wood, R.
The article provides a comparative analysis of published Net Zero energy scenarios for the UK, with a specific focus on electricity supply and demand technologies that are vulnerable to climate hazards. The paper identifies key vulnerabilities in both energy end-use and supply technologies to climate hazards. Using windstorms as a case study, the paper also offers a framework for evaluating power network risks by conducting a climate impact analysis.
Rising cooling demand combined with reduced wind supply in summer increase risks during heatwaves. The windstorm impact model shows that while planned investments may boost capacity, they won’t fully prevent extreme weather-related outages. Demand flexibility is highlighted as a vital, low-regret solution to enhance system resilience.