Major investment in energy generation announced in bid to reduce reliance on imports

The UK government has announced a new British Energy Security Strategy to reduce reliance on imported energy, and increase investment in renewable and low-emission power.

The strategy will see 95% of energy generated in the UK come from low carbon sources by 2030, accelerating new wind, solar, hydrogen and nuclear investment. The government has also announced its support for domestic oil and gas production in the short term to help reduce the need to import from overseas, particularly while wholesale prices are high, with a new licensing round for exploration to begin in Autumn this year.

A new government body, Great British Nuclear, will also be set up to bring forward new nuclear power schemes, expanding UK nuclear energy production to 24GW by 2050, approximately 25% of domestic demand. Also announced is a £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund set to launch later in April, with the government looking to progress up to eight new reactors in the next decade, including at Wylfa, Anglesey.

Investment in wind power will see up to 50GW generated by offshore turbines by 2030, with planning reforms proposed to cut approval times and accelerate delivery. On-shore schemes will also see a boost, with a consultation to begin on partnerships with local communities to host turbines.

Solar capacity is also set for a fivefold increase by 2035, while £30 million will be invested to promote UK manufacturing of heat pumps as a low-carbon alternative to gas heating for properties.

Capacity for hydrogen power is also set to be doubled by 2030, with excess wind power leveraged to reduce its environmental impact. Plans for the HyNet hydrogen infrastructure in the North-west are already underway to create a low carbon manufacturing cluster in the region.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said:

“We’re setting out bold plans to scale up and accelerate affordable, clean and secure energy made in Britain, for Britain – from new nuclear to offshore wind – in the decade ahead.

“This will reduce our dependence on power sources exposed to volatile international prices we cannot control, so we can enjoy greater energy self-sufficiency with cheaper bills.”

Business and Energy Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said:

“We have seen record high gas prices around the world. We need to protect ourselves from price spikes in the future by accelerating our move towards cleaner, cheaper, home-grown energy.

“The simple truth is that the more cheap, clean power we generate within our borders, the less exposed we will be to eye watering fossil fuel prices set by global markets we can’t control.

“Scaling up cheap renewables and new nuclear, while maximising North Sea production, is the best and only way to ensure our energy independence over the coming years.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said:

“Boosting our renewable energy supply is the only way for us to take control of energy prices. We are already a world leader in offshore wind, but we want to go further and faster so that clean, cheap energy becomes the norm.

“Although we don’t rely on Russian energy, accelerating our transition to renewable energy is the best thing we can do to protect the British people and to drive economic growth.”

The strategy follows a series of engagement by the Prime Minister and ministers across government with key industry leaders, including from the oil and gas, wind and nuclear sectors.