Abandoned land “could drive a fair energy transition”
With rising energy costs and the UK’s urgent push to reach net zero by 2050, brownfield sites — those derelict or disused patches of land in our towns and cities — may hold unexpected promise, according to a London South Bank University researcher writing for The Conversation.
Energy sustainability expert Dr Harry Radzuan, from LSBU School of Business, reveals how these often-overlooked spaces could become hubs for clean, community-focused energy generation.
Transforming eyesores into energy justice
Across the UK, around 6 million households are unable to keep warm without cutting back on essentials, highlighting a deepening energy poverty crisis. At the same time, the country must deliver 70 GW of solar energy by 2035, enough to power 35 million homes. Yet more than 37,000 brownfield sites remain in England alone, many in low-income communities, fenced off, contaminated or disused.
“Repurposing this land for community‑based renewable energy projects…could not only help boost the renewable energy uptake, but also cut carbon footprint and tackle energy poverty,” Dr Radzuan writes. Even small sites can house solar panels, rooftop turbines or ground-source heat pumps — turning environmental liabilities into local green power generators.
Dr Radzuan’s research centres on energy justice, the idea that the transition to renewable energy must be fair and inclusive, ensuring the benefits are shared fairly and reach the communities that need them most. This means affordable energy, local job creation and giving communities a voice in shaping projects that affect their lives. By involving residents in planning and ownership, these initiatives can build trust, strengthen resilience and revitalise neglected spaces.
Overcoming barriers and shaping policy
There are barriers to reusing brownfield sites, such as contamination, complex planning and financing hurdles. However, recent policy shifts show promise. Amendments to the 2023 Energy Bill now encourage solar installations on brownfield land and consultations on brownfield passports aim to fast-track redevelopment.
Dr Radzuan argues that with targeted policy support, grants for remediation, streamlined planning and strong partnerships, the UK could unlock massive potential — turning abandoned land into a cornerstone of a fair, sustainable energy system.
“With coordinated policies, community participation and a clear national vision, the energy system can become more just,” he writes.