UK government launches plan to become a 'world leader' in green energy

Barely weeks after entering Downing Street, Labor Prime Minister Keir Starmer kicked off this major campaign promise, symbolizing an interventionist approach to economic issues and a more proactive approach than the previous Conservative government on policies. climatic.

“I want to win the race for clean energy: we have the potential, the ports, the workers, the talent, and now, a government determined to seize its opportunities,” said Keir Starmer from Runcorn (north-west of the 'England).

A bill was introduced a few days ago in Parliament, with a view to a vote on September 5, to quickly bring about the keystone of its strategy: the creation of a public investment company called Great British Energy.

Endowed with 8,3 billion pounds (9,9 billion euros) of public money over five years, it will be used to "invest in the technologies of the future: floating wind turbines, tidal and nuclear energy", he listed, with the aim of attracting private investment.

After 14 years in opposition, “we are going to show that change has already started,” insisted Keir Starmer.

He attacked the record of the conservatives, who had in recent years renounced certain climate measures and had notably decided to grant new hydrocarbon production licenses and introduced a moratorium on the construction of onshore wind farms.

“We have lost a decade of opportunities to boost our energy security, lower bills and create skilled jobs,” he denounced.

GB Energy "will work with the private sector to develop the clean energy we need, create skilled jobs (...) and generate benefits for the taxpayer" said Ed Miliband, Minister for Energy Security and Carbon Neutrality .

This company should make it possible to lower energy bills and reduce dependence on oil or gas imports from “foreign dictators”, defended the Prime Minister.

Its financing will come from exceptional taxes levied on oil and gas companies.

Focus on offshore wind

Scotland, where tens of thousands of people work in energy, was chosen as the location for the company's headquarters.

This transition will be done in a “fair” way, wanted to reassure Ed Miliband, in response to the fears of thousands of workers in the fossil fuel sector.

To launch the work of the new company, the new Labor executive announced a first partnership between GB Energy and the company which manages the vast land and maritime heritage of the British monarchy, or "Crown Estate".

Its portfolio includes a large part of the British seabed, and this company can therefore grant authorizations to build offshore wind farms there.

The government hopes that this very symbolic agreement will generate up to 60 billion pounds (71,5 billion euros) of investment in the sector and more generally create new momentum among manufacturers in favor of green energies.

According to the Crown Estate, an additional 20 to 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power could be created by 2030 through this partnership, enough to power the equivalent of around 20 million homes.

The UK currently produces 14 gigawatts of energy from offshore wind, according to official data.

A few days ago, a financial report indicated that the Crown Estate's profits had more than doubled last year to reach a record 1,1 billion pounds (1,3 billion euros), notably thanks to the growth of these offshore wind farms.

Upon coming to power, the Starmer government already lifted a ban imposed by the Conservatives in 2015 on the construction of new onshore wind farms in England.