In a new energy strategy, ministers pledged to deliver the equivalent of one nuclear reactor each year instead of one in a decade, along with significant aid to renewable energy projects. However, oil and gas exploration in the North Sea will be expanded in the short term, and the government has also indicated a new opening in fracking for shale gas. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was drawing up a plan to “escalate and accelerate affordable, clean and safe energy being made in Britain for Britain”. However, Shadow Operations Minister Ed Miliband said the plan had “failed in the sprint we needed on dry wind and solar power” and would let households suffer from bursting bills. The United Kingdom, along with other nations, is facing a severe cost-of-living crisis due to rising international fuel prices, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Britain has pledged to phase out oil and coal imported from Russia before the end of 2022, and is expected to do the same for Russian gas. The new project promises to generate 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050, including through new high-tech mini-reactors, which will account for about a quarter of the UK’s electricity demand. In 2019, nuclear supplied 17% of the country’s electricity, according to an analysis by the House of Lords. This energy comes from 13 nuclear reactors in six plants. The Johnson government is also promising to reform planning rules to speed up offshore wind farms and offer cheaper fuel bills in areas that allow local onshore wind farms. This article is part of POLITICO Pro The single solution for policy professionals who combine the depth of POLITICO journalism with the power of technology Exclusively, breaking scoops and ideas Custom policy information platform A high level public affairs network
