Value chain · CLM-1269
In plain terms
When the UK's space solar coalition launched in March 2022, its co-chair told a newspaper that a British system could supply about a third of the country's future electricity by the mid-2040s. He said the effort was looking for 75 million pounds over two years at first, and 300 million pounds over five.
The claim as recorded
On 21 March 2022 Express.co.uk reported that a UK space-based solar power system should deliver about 30 GW of continuous clean power by the mid-2040s, and a co-chair of the Space Energy Initiative told it that this could "provide 30 percent of the UK" electricity demand (as greatly increased) and that the project was seeking an initial GBP 75 million for its first two years of development, building to GBP 300 million over five years. The co-chair also claimed that at least "143,000 job-years" would be supported, equivalent to 5,700 high-value jobs over 25 years. He said the SEI would not want to depend on a single launch provider, while crediting SpaceX's reusable rockets as a major factor in making SBSP commercially viable.
Evidence behind this: A general newspaper relaying an advocacy coalition co-chair's own figures, the day of the coalition's public launch; the figures are the SEI's claims, not checked by the paper.
Scope and limits
THE SEI'S OWN CLAIMS, RELAYED BY A GENERAL NEWSPAPER. The 30 GW, 30 per cent, funding and jobs figures are not sourced in the article. The SEI's own press release, which would be the primary for them, is not held (wanted #14). The article does not say who would provide the GBP 75 million or GBP 300 million, or whether any was granted. The SEI's April 2025 evidence (CLM-0289) records only initial funding through DESNZ and UKSA. The article's text has typing errors as published.
What it assumes
No assumptions are recorded against this claim.
Where it comes from
paragraph 4: by the mid-2040s about 30GW of continuous clean power; the co-chair said this could "provide 30 percent of the UK" (greatly increased) electricity demand (paraphrase beyond the span). Paragraph 7: at least "143,000 job-years" supported, the equivalent of 5,700 high value jobs over a 25 year period (paraphrase beyond the span). Paragraph 15: the project is seeking an initial GBP 75 million to cover the "first two years of development", building to GBP 300 million over five years (paraphrase beyond the span). Paragraphs 21-23: SpaceX reusable rockets a major factor in viability; SEI will not wish to depend on a single launch provider (paraphrase). Arithmetic check (drafter's): 5,700 jobs x 25 years = 142,500 job-years, consistent with at least 143,000 only as a rounding (143,000 / 25 = 5,720).
Basis: GW of continuous power; per cent of UK electricity demand; GBP (nominal 2022, as stated); job-years over 25 years
Related records
- Answers question
- QST-027 not published in this releaseQST-030 not published in this release
Cite this
energyaperture.com/c/clm-1269
CLM-1269, Energy Aperture, as of 2022-03-21.