Boris Johnson promises to take back control of rising energy costs in 'bold' new strategy

Boris Johnson has promised that the Government will take back control of energy prices with its new long-awaited energy strategy which aims to make 95 per cent of electricity low carbon within the next eight years. Ministers are promising 'cleaner and more affordable energy' to be made in this country by boosting wind, new nuclear, solar and hydrogen.

Boris Johnson said the strategy, including new nuclear and offshore wind plans, would reduce the UK’s dependence on foreign sources of energy. This follows on from recently reported worldwide concern about the reliance on Russian oil and gas since the invasion of Ukraine.

Under the Government’s plans, a new body, Great British Nuclear, will be launched to strengthen the UK’s nuclear capacity with the hope of up to 24 gigawatts (GW) of electricity by 2050 coming from the source of power, 25 per cent of the projected electricity demand. It is hoped the focus on nuclear will deliver up to eight reactors, equivalent to one reactor a year instead of one a decade.

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Prime Minister Mr 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 cause, in part, by a post-pandemic rise in demand for gas, with lower levels of production. Families across the nation have felt the pinch, with energy price caps rising from April 1, as Labour