Gaslighting or a New Gas Generation?
So, Rishi Sunak just dropped the big gas bomb again: “keep building gas power plants.” The headline? “We’re chasing energy independence, but at what cost?” Let’s break it down.
Why the gas train is still in motion?
- Half of UK gas comes from the other side of the Atlantic. The North Sea gas production is hitting its last gasp.
- Sunak claims we need more gas stations to avoid blackouts. That sounds dramatic, but it might just be political talk.
- He’s tied it to the 2035 and 2050 net‑zero targets – but who’s actually paying the bill for back‑up power?
Is this a stunt or a serious shift?
With elections looming, the likelihood of new gas hubs actually coming online is slim. To build a plant takes years and a safety check that’s practically a marathon. Meanwhile, the government’s commitments are making headlines without moving people out of bed.
Well‑crafted promises
Sunak says: “We’re 50% under 1990 emissions – that’s a solid record.” He adds a mantra: “No gamble on energy security.” But does that eagle eye policy actually protect consumers?
The “real‑world” side
Jess Ralston from ECIU claims the inevitable North Sea decline will thrust the UK into ever‑greater foreign gas dependency unless demand drops faster than we think. She adds a caustic twist: the government’s blunders in offshore wind, insulation, and heat pumps might be the actual culprits.
Greenpeace Gets Heated
Doug Parr from Greenpeace UK chides the government’s plan: “More gas, more bills, more warming.” He insists the only realistic route is massive private investment in renewables and an upgraded grid.
In a nutshell
If the current strategy continues, the UK may find itself feeding the same fossil fuel that keeps energy costs high while chasing climate goals. To avoid a future where we’re forced back to coal, the government has to move fast – and fast enough.
Keep an eye on this – the next energy crisis could be the one that actually leaves us with open mouths.
