The UK and US “stand united” in delivering a “cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy future”, UK Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps and US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said at a meeting in London.
For the UK, Shapps (pictured) said this would mean “ever-greater” energy independence, by switching to home-grown sources that include renewables as well as nuclear.
The move to renewables and other cleaner energy sources, and the need to tackle climate change, were at the forefront of discussions at a dedicated Green Investors Roundtable chaired by both secretaries of state – offering opportunities for joint investment by British and US companies.
It comes as both nations lay the foundations for a shared approach to energy, one that drives growth and brings down bills to protect businesses and households from volatile oil and gas markets.
Meeting in London for the first time, the two heads of the UK and US energy departments made clear they stand with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the citizens of Ukraine in their fight against the Russian invasion – the cause of unprecedented global rises in energy prices.
Shapps said: “Secretary Granholm and I stand shoulder to shoulder in our unending support for Ukraine, and in ensuring that neither Putin nor any tyrant ever think they can hold the world to ransom through their energy supply.
“The war has shown the UK, US and countries the world over the need for ever-greater energy independence, fuelled by moves away from fossil fuels and towards home-grown sources like renewables and nuclear.
“Today I’m pledging to deliver that energy independence – backed by my ambition for lower wholesale electricity prices in the longer term.
“This will also open up opportunities for UK and US companies to work together at the cutting edge of these technologies while also strengthening the historic ties of cooperation between our two countries.”
Granholm said: “The United States stands alongside the United Kingdom in support of Ukraine against Russia’s brutal war and its weaponisation of energy markets.
“We are keenly aware that remaining overly reliant on fossil fuels puts our energy security at risk and that the solution lies in diversifying our fuel sources through the deployment of clean energy.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has put into place powerful tools such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to lower costs and advance new energy technologies, and we look forward to continue building on a long history of collaboration around our shared clean energy ambitions that will deliver homegrown security and greater independence.”