Debate on making Britain a clean energy superpower

The UK’s energy system supplies its electricity, transport, heating and industrial needs. Energy policies focus on delivering three main objectives for the system: affordability, security of supply and sustainability.

“Clean” energy tends to refer to low-carbon energy technologies which are mainly used for generating electricity. The role of electricity is expected to increase with the increasing adoption of technologies such as heat pumps for heating and electric vehicles in transport.

The UK’s electricity mix has been changing over time, as the proportion of fossil fuels such as coal reduces, and the proportion of renewables increases. This has contributed to a reduction in UK emissions since the 1990s, much of which has been driven by reducing electricity emissions. The UK produces much of its own energy needs, and in recent years became a net exporter of electricity. It is a net importer of gas and petroleum. The cost of energy has been a focus in recent years, following a price spike in 2022 to 2023.

The Labour Government, in its 2024 election manifesto, committed to making the UK a “clean energy superpower”. This was one of five “missions to rebuild Britain” and include policies such as launching a publicly-owned energy company (GB Energy), a National Wealth Fund, and a Warm Homes Plan.

Stakeholders have broadly welcomed Labour’s plans, highlighting the need to increase investment in order to meet decarbonisation targets. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) and National Grid Future Systems Operator (ESO) have recently published reports on the energy system (yearly reports that are independent of the election). The CCC highlighted that the UK is off track to meet some of its decarbonisation targets, and the ESO stated that action was needed within the next two years to transform the energy system.