UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to say today that “the era of fossil fuel security is over” as he sets out plans to accelerate the shift to clean energy and break the link between gas and electricity prices.
The speech has prompted fresh criticism from North-east business and industry figures over the impact of Labour’s stance on new North Sea drilling.
Mr Miliband is expected to outline measures to “double down not back down” on the shift to clean energy, including speeding up the rollout of renewables and electrifying heating and transport to get homes and businesses off fossil fuels.
These include expanding renewables on publicly owned land, including solar panels alongside railway lines, and making it easier for people to install green technology such as electric vehicle chargers when they do not have driveways.
Speaking at a “national growth debate”, Mr Miliband will say: “As we face the second fossil fuel shock in less than five years, the lesson for our country is clear: The era of fossil fuel security is over, and the era of clean energy security must come of age.
“For Britain and so many other countries, clean energy is now the only route to financial security, energy security and national security.”
He will add: “To ignore one fossil fuel crisis and carry on with business as usual, as some wanted to do, was wrong. To ignore two in less than five years would be completely irresponsible.
“And it would be even more irresponsible because unlike the twin fossil fuel shocks of the 1970s, there is now a compelling alternative in the form of clean energy. An alternative that cannot be disrupted by foreign wars because it comes from our own wind, sun and nuclear resources.”
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, has repeatedly urged the Energy Secretary not to pit oil and gas against renewables.
“Doubling down on renewables is essential if we want to keep the transition on track, build a balanced energy mix, strengthen our domestic supply chain and back the workforce that will deliver it," he said.
“But let’s deal in facts. Oil and gas still accounts for more than 70% of the UK’s energy needs today. For as long as that remains the case, we should be producing as much as we responsibly can from the North Sea. That means a fair tax regime, a regulatory system that can actually approve new projects, and a willingness to support future drilling where it serves the national interest.
“Offshoring the jobs and the economic value - all while generating more emissions abroad - makes no sense. Britain needs an integrated all-energy plan, and the government is wrong to set renewables against the other technologies and industries we still rely on.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden said: “It beggars belief that net-zero zealot Ed Miliband is doubling down on his anti-oil and gas stance when it's doing untold damage to our economy and energy security.“
Enrique Cornejo, energy policy director at Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) added: “This is not a simple choice between oil and gas and renewable energy. We must produce both at home to build a secure and resilient energy future."