A UK foresight study of materials in decarbonisation technologies

The UK's net zero commitment is driving demand for renewable energy, energy storage and electrified transport. This analysis examines UK demand up to 2050 and global supply challenges for 36 materials critical to the following eight decarbonisation technologies: • batteries • electrolysers • fuel cells • heat pumps • nuclear energy • photovoltaics • traction motors • wind turbines This report synthesises the findings of foresight studies on these decarbonisation technologies, each being the subject of a separate published report. With limited UK-based supply chains, reliance on international markets and growing global competition poses supply risks and material bottlenecks. Evaluating current and future supply constraints is therefore essential to mitigate risks to the UK’s decarbonisation targets. The analysis methodology involved five steps: 1. defining boundaries: identifying relevant decarbonisation technologies, sub-technologies and critical materials 2. material allocation: mapping materials essential to the function of specific technologies 3. supply risk evaluation: assessing risks based on production and trade concentration, and on UK value chains 4. quantifying UK demand: projecting material demand to 2050 using National Grid scenarios and global comparisons 5. assessing the scale of the UK demand relative to global demand