Veronica Maxted, the Director of Renewables at RS Group, addresses European and global progress in terms of utilizing renewable energy and achieving net zero and the role of policy coordination and strategic cooperation in future progress.
As the fight against climate change intensifies, governments worldwide face a monumental task: reducing carbon emissions across industries while satisfying rising energy demands and mitigating the impact on jobs, energy bills, and taxpayers. Achieving this is only possible by successfully transitioning to alternative energy sources, such as wind, hydrogen, marine, hydro, and solar.
Advancing the energy transition requires a coordinated strategy: a combination of private and public investment in new infrastructure, a focus on job creation, and a technological innovation, all underpinned by a supportive policy landscape. As energy supplies become more intertwined with national security and global conflicts threaten supply chains, the need for strong domestic alternative energy sources is more critical than ever.
Despite the clear opportunities, barriers such as funding gaps, insufficient infrastructure, and inconsistent government support continue to hinder progress. By championing success stories and encouraging open dialogue across industry and policy, we can better understand these challenges and identify ways to overcome them — moving us closer to a renewable future.
The state of alternative energy
The global energy transition is already underway. The International Energy Agency predicts that this year, for the first time, more than a third of the world’s electricity will come from renewables, surpassing coal generation. Most of this renewable energy comes from three sources: hydropower, wind, and solar.
Wind energy has emerged as one of the most accessible and widely adopted renewable power sources. Thanks to onshore and offshore wind turbine technology advancements, the sector is poised for significant growth and enhanced efficiencies worldwide, with major economies — such as China, the U.K., U.S., and Germany — investing heavily into the sector.
In the UK, wind energy is the largest renewable power source, making up almost 30% of the its electricity in 2024. Seen as a critical ingredient in the government’s mission to decarbonize its grid and meet local consumption needs, the sector enjoys strong policy support. The Labour Government recently committed £300 million ($349.51 million) to invest in offshore wind supply chains, with the investment expected to mobilize billions in additional private investment in the sector.
Innovations in wind energy are driving the industry to new heights by improving system performance, increasing efficiencies, and reducing component costs. Wind turbines operating in extremely high or low wind conditions expand urban and suburban energy generation potential. Our focus at RS Group is to support the development of the wind power industry through equipment, maintenance tools, and monitoring systems to support sustainable operations. With continued investment and policy support, wind is emerging as a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional fuels.
But it is not the only alternative. To reach globally, governments and industries need to invest in a diverse range of energy sources. In the UK, low-carbon hydrogen production is another strategic priority, with the government’s flagship hydrogen program directing investments into innovative projects nationwide.
Across the globe, hydropower has become the leading source of renewable energy. It’s highly favorable because its production does not pollute water or emit carbon or solid waste. China currently stands as the largest producer of hydroelectricity, generating 29% of global hydropower capacity, thanks to a massive $890 billion investment in clean energy. Norway is another prominent leader, with hydropower generating approximately 96% of the country’s electricity. These successes are due to strategic utilization of natural resources, substantial financial commitments, and supportive policy landscapes.
Progress is undoubtedly being made. But achieving net zero remains a monumental challenge. Tackling the barriers to progress, from a lack of grid infrastructure to funding challenges, will be critical for the next decade.
The role of policy coordination and strategic cooperation
As the energy transition gains momentum, the complexity of delivering large-scale renewable projects across multiple jurisdictions is becoming increasingly clear. Fragmented regulatory environments, inconsistent carbon pricing, and mismatched permitting rules can delay infrastructure development and deter investment at a time when momentum is critical.
Closer alignment between countries — and particularly across the UK and E.U. — is essential to reduce these administrative and regulatory frictions. A more coordinated policy framework not only accelerates project timelines but also provides the predictability investors and developers need to scale up technologies, like offshore wind, hydrogen, and grid-scale storage. A linked emissions trading system, for example, could play a vital role in creating stable and transparent carbon pricing across borders, enhancing confidence in long-term project viability.
Beyond policy harmonization, strategic cooperation is also vital for strengthening Europe’s energy security. In a world of shifting geopolitical alliances and disrupted global trade routes, domestic energy independence has become a matter of economic and national security. This was the central focus of the recent Summit on the Future of Energy Security, where the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that reliable energy was a matter of national security and recognized the need for pan-European energy resilience underpinned by renewables, shared infrastructure, and joint investment strategies.
At RS Group, we support this shift by working with businesses and industry partners to navigate regulatory complexity and adopt innovative technologies that reduce downtime, increase efficiency, and support long-term sustainability goals. The more we can align around common frameworks and shared priorities, the faster we can move towards a secure and renewable energy future.
Final words
The path to a renewable future will be forged by a commitment to innovation and collaboration. Coordinated policy, cross-border cooperation, and stable investment conditions are essential to overcome the barriers that remain. At RS Group, we are proud to support our customers through this transition — delivering innovative tools and solutions that help make clean energy deployment faster, more efficient, and more resilient. Together, we can power a more secure and sustainable future.
To learn more about RS strategies solutions for the renewable energy industry, visit the RS Energy and Utilities hub, check out this collection of RS Expert Advice content, contact your local RS representative at 1.866.433.5722, or reach out to the RS technical support team.
