Renewable Cuts: SSE to Miss 2030 Clean Energy Goal
Scotland-based energy company SSE has announced cuts to its renewable investment plans and says it is not likely to meet its 2030 goal of 50 TWh of renewable energy output a year.
The company plans to cut its investments by £3bn (US$4bn) over the next five years, including a £1.5bn (US$2bn) cut to its SSE Renewables business.
These strategic cutbacks are attributed to the "changing macroeconomic environment and wider delays to the planning processes" over the past year.
This follows an announcement in April 2025 that it would cut 200 jobs from its renewables business.
The investment plan was presented with its preliminary results for FY2024/25.
Alistair Phillips-Davies, CEO at SSE, said: “SSE continues to prove the benefits of a portfolio that is built to withstand risk and uncertainty and a strategy that is focused on creating sustainable value.
“We have met our financial goals for the year and evolved our investment plans to reflect the changing world around us – leaning into the opportunities presented in networks and redoubling our capital discipline across our energy businesses.”
Clean energy in the UK
In 2024, the UK's energy demand was around 281 TWh according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Should energy demands remain similar in 2030, SSE's 50 TWh objective would be a considerable contribution towards the UK government's goal to reach a net zero carbon energy system.
Over the past 12 months, the UK’s grid has been powered roughly 30% by gas, 29% by wind and just over 14% by nuclear.
The government aims to achieve 95% clean power generated in the UK by 2030.
It remains uncertain which particular SSE projects will be affected by the reduction in investments, but the company is now planning to achieve 7 GW of installed renewable capacity by the end of 2026/27 with 1 GW under construction.
Trouble for clean energy
SSE is not the first to cut down on renewables investments and it may not be the last.
Ørsted decided to scrap Hornsea 4, an offshore wind farm project that was expected to deliver 2.4 GW of clean power.
In February 2025, Equinor announced that it is “reducing investments to renewables and low-carbon solutions to around US$5bn in total after project financing for 2025-2027”.
In the same month bp announced a strategy overhaul, cutting its renewable investments by more than US$5bn annually and ramping up its commitment to fossil fuels.
This followed a downturn in profits for the business in 2024.
SSE’s upcoming projects
Despite reduction plans, SSE remains proactive with various renewable projects across the UK, including what is expected to be the world's largest offshore wind farm.
The Dogger Bank wind farm project is anticipated to have an installed capacity of 3.6 GW, enough to power six million homes annually.
SSE leads the development and construction, with operational responsibilities to be undertaken by Equinor upon completion.
It has completed the refurbishment of the 40 MW Tummel Bridge hydropower station and has reached a final investment decision to repower the 45 MW Lochay hydropower station.
Construction on the 280 MW Strathy South wind farm began in May 2025, targeting commercial operations in late 2027.
Battery energy storage system projects are also in the works, with installation ongoing at Monk Fryston and Fiddlers Ferry.
Explore the latest edition of Energy Digital Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Energy Digital is a BizClik brand
