The Government has been increasingly indicating that they will be aiming to become more energy self-sufficient. The exact measures to be taken have yet to be announced, though the government has indicated it may include an increase in investment in North Sea oil and gas, as well as consideration for an expansion of wind farms.
Given the current situation in Ukraine, the Government has expressed a desire to move away from importing oil and gas from Russia, but must then ensure that the shortfall is somehow matched and that the UK becomes responsible for it's own energy production. It appears the Government is taking the opportunity to try and move towards energy self sufficiency. However, as the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has stated, this move is less about climate change and more about national security. It would appear, however, that this approach has seen a softening of opinions of the public and MPs alike towards onshore and offshore wind.
This has resulted in the Government considering an expansion of wind farms across the UK and a change in planning laws to facilitate their development.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a roundtable of leaders in the UK's oil and gas industry on 14 March 2022, during which he set out his commitment to North Sea oil and gas, but saw it more as an opportunity to help the UK reach energy independence as well as being a key part in the transition to net zero by 2050. This would be achieved by rolling out carbon capture projects and to help in the production of low-carbon hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
It expected that the Government will publish more detailed plans before the end of March. The plan is expected to focus on renewable energy, nuclear and domestic oil and gas.
Given that the UK is expected to move away from imports of Russian oil by the end of 2022, there may be quite a rapid change in energy policies this year.
