Starmer calls for a bold UK mission to deliver clean power by 2030

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has set out plans to make the UK a world-leading clean energy superpower by 2030 as an urgent priority of the next Labour Government.

This landmark plan will slash energy bills for good, create hundreds of thousands of good jobs, and make the UK energy secure, while providing global leadership in tackling the climate crisis. Starmer has committed Labour to delivering a zero-carbon electricity system by 2030, an ambitious but achievable target that would make the UK the world’s first major economy to do so.

He has announced that Labour will build a power system run entirely by cheap, home-grown renewables and nuclear by the end of this decade. Working with businesses to crowd in private funding, and unions to ensure high quality jobs, Labour plans to more than quadruple offshore wind, triple solar, and double onshore wind by the end of this decade, while backing nuclear, hydrogen, and tidal power.

This world-leading commitment will give the UK energy security, make us an energy export superpower, tackle the climate crisis to leave a better world for our children, and, with renewables now nine times cheaper than gas, cut thousands of pounds off energy bills for good.

This policy is part of Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan to unleash the economic benefits of the green transition for communities across Britain.

Labour’s world-leading proposals will:

1. Cut energy bills for good, saving UK households £93 billion over the rest of this decade; or a saving of £475 per household every year until 2030.
2. Make the UK energy independent, freeing the UK from being exposed to the fluctuations of the global gas market, which has been too-easily manipulated by Vladimir Putin and petrostates.
3. Reindustrialise the UK, supporting the creation of over 200,000 direct jobs and up to 260,000-300,000 indirect jobs over the decade.
4. Tackle the climate crisis to leave a better world for our children by making the UK the first major economy to have a zero-emission power system.

Sir Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party said:

“The British people are sick and tired of rocketing energy bills and our energy system being exposed to dictators. They want long-term solutions to cut bills for good.

“That is why I am proud to announce that a central mission of my Labour Government will be to turn the UK into a clean energy superpower.

“Our plan for clean power by 2030 will save the British people £93 billion off their energy bills, and break the UK’s vulnerability to Putin and his cronies. It will also support out drive for higher growth and rising living standards.

“From a world-leading offshore wind industry in Scotland and the East Coast, hydrogen in the North-West and Teesside, nuclear power in the South-East, and solar power in the South and Midlands, this truly national enterprise will unleash Britain’s potential with thousands of good, well-paid jobs across our country.

“This is a plan that will drive jobs, tackle the cost of living, and protect our home for future generations by tackling the climate crisis.”

Ed Miliband, Labour’s Shadow Secretary for Climate and Net Zero, said:

“Twelve years of the Conservatives’ failed energy policy has left energy bills too high and the UK overly exposed to the manipulations of fossil fuel dictators.

“We cannot go on like this. It is time to turn a page, and unleash the great potential of Britain to lead the world in cheap, home-grown energy that can power our future.

“In launching this world leading goal for clean power by 2030, Labour is saying that Britain can lead the world on tackling the climate crisis, and doing so in a way that creates wealth and jobs for communities across our country.

“It is time for an energy policy for people and planet. It is time for a Labour government.”

Notes to Editors

Labour’s Plan for Clean Power by 2030

The next Labour Government will launch an urgent mission for a fossil fuel free electricity system by 2030, making the UK a clean energy superpower, exporting clean power to the rest of the world. This would save UK households £93 billion^[1] over the rest of this decade.

To achieve this target, by 2030 a Labour government would:

• Quadruple offshore wind with an ambition of 55GW by 2030;
• Accelerate the pioneering floating offshore wind technology by fast-tracking at least 5GW of capacity;
• More than triple solar power to over 50GW;
• More than double our onshore wind capacity to 35GW;
• Ensure the long-term security of nuclear power - getting projects at Sizewell and Hinkley over the line, extending the lifetime of existing plants and backing new nuclear and Small Modular Reactors;
• Invest in carbon capture and storage and hydrogen to ensure that there is sufficient zero-emission back-up power and storage for extended periods without wind or sun, while maintaining a strategic reserve of backup gas power stations to guarantee security of supply;
• Double down on green hydrogen, with 10GW of production - twice the government’s target - for use particularly in flexible power generation, storage, and industrial processes like green steel;
• Unleash marine and tidal power;
• Reform planning laws and build out the grid; and
• Manage existing oil and gas wells sustainably over the coming decades, while putting a stop to new oil and gas licences and continuing to oppose fracking, which will not reduce bills but will leave us vulnerable to Putin’s manipulation of international markets, distract investment, and drive a coach and horses through our climate commitments.

The benefits of this plan are:

• Based on gas futures price projections, this would save UK households £93 billion over the rest of this decade; or an average saving of £475 per household every year until 2030.
• This world-leading commitment will support the creation of over 200,000 direct jobs and up to 260,000-300,000 indirect jobs.
• The UK would be the first major economy to make this world-leading commitment alongside some smaller European countries, including Austria, Portugal, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
• It complements Labour’s plan to increase energy efficiency, including through our Warm Homes Plan to insulate 19 million cold, draughty homes over a decade.

^[1] https://ember-climate.org/insights/research/uk-gas-power-phase-out/