Sir Kier Starmer and Ed Miliband were in the North West today to launch Great British Energy, the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
Announced in last week’s Kings Speech, Great British Energy (GBE) will be “owned by and for British people” and aims to help promote energy independence and ensure taxpayers “reap the benefits” of home-grown energy.
Visiting Widnes the pair confirmed that Great British Energy will partner with the Crown Estate to boost wind energy across the UK.
The Crown Estate estimates this partnership will lead to up to 20-30GW of new offshore wind developments reaching seabed lease stage by 2030, enough power for the equivalent of 20 million homes”
Speaking at the launch
Starmer, speaking at the launch of GB Energy, said the public “paid the price” for the Tories’ negligence on energy.
adding that the last government left the UK “more exposed” than other countries when Russia invaded Ukraine which led to higher bills.
“Every family and every business has felt the impact of that. We’ve lost a decade of opportunity, missed chances to boost our energy security to cut bills and create good jobs,” he said.
“People up and down the country have literally paid the price of that short sightedness.
“And we should be in no doubt. For as long as we remain reliant on foreign dictators for fossil fuels, this country will be exposed to future energy shocks like the one that we’ve just had.”
He added: “But now there is a massive prize within our reach. And make no mistake the race is on to get there. Until now I feel like we’ve been sort of tying up our link laces in the changing room.”
