UK and US pledges to boost energy independence

The UK and US have today pledged to achieve greater energy independence through ‘homegrown’ nuclear power and renewables.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps and US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm met in London for the first time where they made the announcement.

Gaining energy security, by relying less on imports of gas and electricity, would help to avoid rising energy prices which have occurred in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine they said.

Grant Shapps said himself and Granholm ‘stand shoulder to shoulder in our unending support for Ukraine’  in the fight against the invasion.

He continued: ‘The war has shown the UK, the US and countries the world over the need for ever greater energy independence, fueled 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.’

Renewables and clean power were at the heart of discussions between the pair as a dedicated Green Investors Roundtable, according to the government.

The UK has recently completed the world’s largest windfarm off the Yorkshire Coast, helping to power 1.4 million homes.

However, campaigners say more could be done to develop clean power, as television personality and environmentalist Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is urging the government to lift the de-facto ban on new onshore wind.

In an open letter to the government, signed by 100 other leading figures, Fearnley-Whittingstall said lifting the ban could reduce energy bills, boost energy independence and help to reach net zero targets.

Other signatories include climate action group Possible, Ecotricity, the RSPB, Green MP Caroline Lucas, Greenpeace and Chris Packham.  

Photo by Shaun Dakin