The UK is to accelerate the construction of new wind and solar projects as part of a new British Energy Security Strategy that will be published this month.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the blueprint, being drawn up in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, will see the country “double down on new wind power and greatly accelerate the rollout of new offshore wind”.
“We will do more to exploit the potential of solar power,” added Johnson, writing in today’s Daily Telegraph.
“Even in this country, solar power is remarkably cheap and effective. We will modernise our grid and our distribution networks.”
At the heart of the strategy is “green energy of all kinds”, said Johnson.
Johnson said the UK’s ambition to go for net zero “is not the problem”, adding that renewable power, which is getting more efficient, is a part of the solution.
The United States has announced a ban on imports of Russian oil and the UK will be doing the same, he stated, while adding the UK will work with the EU in its mission to rid itself of Russian hydrocarbons.
“Renewables are the quickest and cheapest route to greater energy independence.
“They are invulnerable to Putin’s manipulations. He may have his hand on the taps for oil and gas. But there is nothing he can do to stop the North Sea wind,” Johnson said.
Johnson said it is “crazy” that the UK is importing oil and gas from Russia, when it has its own resources in the North Sea.
“It is time to give investors more confidence in British hydrocarbons … and we will need hydrocarbons to make hydrogen – the low carbon fuel that has perhaps the greatest potential of all.”
As well as mentioning blue hydrogen in his article, Johnson also said Britain’s energy strategy will include nuclear, including “small modular reactors as well as the larger power stations”.
“So now is the time to make a series of big new bets on nuclear power,” he said.
“Putin’s strength – his vast resource of hydrocarbons – is also his weakness. He has virtually nothing else. Putin’s Russia makes little that the rest of the world wants to buy. If the world can end its dependence on Russian oil and gas, we can starve him of cash, destroy his strategy and cut him down to size,” added Johnson.
“We need to take back control. This month, I will set out a British Energy Security Strategy – how the UK will become more self-sufficient, and no longer at the mercy of bullies like Putin.
“At the heart of the strategy is green energy of all kinds.”