Boris Johnson bets on nuclear to bring energy bills down
The Prime Minister wants to boost energy production in the UK
Last updated 29th May 2022
The Government has promised to bring down household energy bills by boosting nuclear, wind, solar and hydrogen power.
In its long-awaited energy strategy, ministers are promising "cleaner and more affordable energy", aiming to make 95% of electricity low carbon by 2030.
Boris Johnson said the strategy, including new nuclear and offshore wind plans, would reduce the UK's dependence on foreign sources of energy.
There has been particular worldwide concern about the reliance on Russian oil and gas since the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.
Labour say plan won't bring down bills now
Labour said the Prime Minister had "caved to his own backbenchers", adding that the plan would do nothing to help deal with the cost of living crisis faced by households.
A new body, Great British Nuclear, will be set up to bolster capacity and deliver eight reactors by the end of the decade.
The strategy also confirmed the intention to push ahead with a nuclear project at the Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey, off the north-west coast of Wales.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told our reporter some of the benefits a new nuclear power plant would bring to North Wales whilst visiting the nuclear site at Hinckley Point in Somerset.
He said: "These sites have huge numbers of jobs, something like 5,000 people working here.
"It's the largest construction site in Europe and that means there is huge economic opportunity for local people"
"We are setting out bold plans"- PM
Boris Johnson said: "We're setting out bold plans to scale up and accelerate affordable, clean and secure energy made in Britain, for Britain, from new nuclear to offshore wind, in the decade ahead.
"This will reduce our dependence on power sources exposed to volatile international prices we cannot control, so we can enjoy greater energy self-sufficiency with cheaper bills."
The rocketing energy bills faced by families have been caused in part by a post-pandemic rise in demand for gas, with lower levels of production.
This was only exacerbated by the war in Ukraine both due to energy supplies but also the production of wheat and some metals.
But Ed Miliband, Labour's shadow climate change and net-zero secretary, said: "The Government's energy relaunch is in disarray.
"Ludicrously, Boris Johnson's own energy strategy has failed on the sprint we needed on onshore wind and solar, the cheapest, cleanest forms of homegrown power.
"This relaunch will do nothing for the millions of families now facing an energy bills crisis.
"No reversal of the ban on onshore wind and not a penny more on energy efficiency.
"These decisions will force households to pay hundreds of pounds more for their energy bills and keep the UK dependent on imported gas for longer."