Chris Stark to lead mission to deliver clean power by 2030

The new government has launched a new Mission Control centre tasked with providing clean, homegrown power by 2030.

Chris Stark, former chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, and former Director of Energy and Climate Change in the Scottish Government, will lead the efforts.

Mission Control will be a one-stop shop, bringing together a top team of industry experts and officials to troubleshoot, negotiate and clear the way for energy projects.

It will work with key energy companies and organisations including the regulator Ofgem, the National Grid and the Electricity System Operator to remove obstacles and identify and resolve issues as they arise. This will speed up the connection of new power infrastructure to the grid, and cleaner, cheaper power to people’s homes and businesses.  

Stark will bring extensive expertise working with the energy sector to remove barriers and achieve the clean power mission on the country’s path to net zero.

He said:  "Tackling the climate crisis and accelerating the transition to clean power is the country’s biggest challenge, and its greatest opportunity.     

"By taking action now, we can put the UK at the forefront of the global race to net zero – driving down our carbon emissions but also cutting bills for households.      

"It is a privilege to head up this work alongside the country’s top energy experts who will make this mission a reality."

To achieve clean power by 2030 – and with it, boost energy independence and lower bills – the Energy Secretary has also asked the Electricity System Operator to provide advice on the pathway towards the 2030 ambition, with expert analysis of the location and type of new investment and infrastructure needed to deliver it.