The prime minister’s energy security strategy has been derided as a “missed opportunity” for ignoring onshore wind and home improvements.
The decision to back nuclear and offshore wind, which both have long lead times, over cheaper technologies, such as land-based turbines that are quicker to install, has been widely criticised.
Energy groups and specialists were also dismayed at a lack of fresh funding to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock, which ranks among the worst in Europe.
Simon Virley, head of energy and natural resources at KPMG, called the plan a “missed opportunity”. He added: “The best way to reduce energy bills permanently, cut emissions and reduce our dependence on imported gas is a step change in energy efficiency.”
Michael Lewis, chief executive at E.On UK, said: “By abandoning any extra commitment to helping people to improve their homes, the announcement condemns thousands more customers to living in cold and draughty homes, wasting energy and paying more than they need to for their heating.”
Britain has some of the draughtiest housing stock in Europe, but installation rates for loft and cavity wall insulation plummeted a decade ago when the government cut funding schemes.
The Climate Change Committee, the government’s official adviser, called the lack of measures on energy efficiency disappointing; Citizens Advice, the consumer charity, said it was the “major missing piece of this strategy”.
The strategy instead set highly ambitious targets for expanding nuclear, offshore wind and hydrogen power that were welcomed by developers but met with scepticism from experts, who questioned whether they could be achieved.
The government raised its target for offshore wind to 50 gigawatts by 2030, from 40GW and from 10GW installed today, with a promise to slash the time it takes to consent projects from four years to one. Duncan Clark, UK head of Orsted, said it was “a truly momentous day for the offshore wind industry”.
