The Energy Security Secretary, , met with European allies
this week to discuss plans to transition away from Russian
liquefied natural gas (LNG), following the UK’s lead.
At a ministerial meeting of the International Energy Agency
(IEA) in Paris,
the Secretary of State also signed a landmark new fusion partnership
with Canada, bringing the UK a step closer to developing a
near limitless source of clean energy.
The Memorandum of Understanding with Canada on fusion energy will
seek to improve collaboration on research and development,
harmonise the approach to regulation, and develop the workforce
and skills base. This will strengthen cooperation between the UK
and Canada to support the deployment of fusion worldwide. It will
also support the UK’s £650 million fusion programme, cementing
the UK as a world leader in this innovative technology.
The energy generated from fusion is many million times more
efficient than burning coal, oil or gas and could generate a near
unlimited supply of clean electricity – transforming global
efforts to reach net zero and delivering long-term energy
independence.
This is the UK’s second formal international fusion collaboration
following the announcement of a partnership with the USA in
November 2023.
The Energy Security Secretary also met with allies to discuss
energy security and how to build on the progress made to date to
target Russia’s energy sector, with the UK having led the way in
banning all imports of Russian oil and gas after Putin’s illegal
invasion.
It follows the UK recently announcing a £300 million investment
to become the first country in Europe outside of Russia to launch
a high-tech HALEUnuclear fuel
programme, driving Putin further out of global energy markets.
Energy Security Secretary said:
A more diverse and secure energy mix will bring down bills in the
long term and that’s why we are working closely with our European
allies to end dependency on Russian gas.
The UK is also leading the world in fusion research, which could
provide a near limitless supply of clean energy. This landmark
partnership with Canada will strengthen co-operation between our
countries and support our record-breaking British research -
bringing us closer to making fusion a reality.
The UK has provided £150 million for Ukraine’s energy sector
since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion and is a key
partner in supporting Ukraine to rebuild and transition.
The UK also announced £12 million at COP28
for the IEA’s
Clean Energy Transition Programme to support developing countries
to accelerate their green transitions – the biggest ever
voluntary contribution.
The event in Paris was the first international meeting of energy
ministers since COP28
and marks the 50th anniversary of the IEA.
