Millions are about to be plunged into poverty by spiralling gas prices, there are alarming heat waves at both ends of the planet – and the UK government is still fighting with itself over energy policy.
The government has promised an ‘energy security statement’, which will reportedly not only help the nation through some short-term crises, but could herald a major shake-up in energy policy. It could deal with some long-lingering challenges of decarbonising at speed, in a way that’ll keep the lights on and avoid leaving anyone in the cold.
Yet on Sunday night, news broke that, after weeks of waiting, the chancellor had triggered a further delay to this statement, to give him more time “to engage” with the details. We’re told we should wait at least another week. It might well be the other side of Easter. There has been tantalising talk of tripling the number of solar panels, quadrupling offshore wind power and doubling onshore wind and nuclear energy by 2030, but still little commitment.
