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A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY


Steve Bell Pierce


Martin Emmott Rosebud


Britain’s net zero drive is being energised by events far from its shores. War in the Gulf has provided yet another shock to the economy and highlighted the nation’s serious energy vulnerabilities.


High market volatility and rising fears over energy supplies are having an impact. And against the uncertain global backdrop, energy efficiency and sustainability have moved high up the agenda – both nationally and in Lancashire boardrooms.


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Date: 17 June 2026 Time: 08.30-11.00 Venue: Village Hotel Blackpool


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Leading the charge, energy secretary Ed Miliband has vowed to “double down” on clean energy, alongside government moves to break the link between gas and electricity prices.


He used a speech in Westminster in April to set out the government’s plans for an increased drive for homegrown clean power through both nuclear and renewables.


The minister spelled out why the UK is so exposed, highlighting that 30 per cent of electricity generation comes from gas, while 70 per cent of industrial processes also rely on fossil fuels. And even when renewables and nuclear are used, gas often sets the price.


Miliband said recent turbulence in global energy markets had underlined how “the era of fossil fuel security is over, and the era of clean energy security must come of age.”


And he vowed that the government would “double down, not back down” on the transition journey.


In his rallying call he declared: “We have not a moment to waste. Every solar panel we put up, every wind turbine we build, every heat pump we install, every EV on the road makes our country more secure.”


The speech followed weeks of government announcements that have included contracts


for small modular reactors and consent for the UK’s largest ever solar project.


The energy secretary told his audience: “For Britain and so many other countries, clean energy is now the only route to financial security, energy security and ndeed national security.


“In response to recent events, our actions must now be faster, deeper and more wide- ranging if we are to protect our security. We have not a moment to waste.”


The government has unveiled a raft of proposals including using public land to house renewable energy generating sites.


Reducing the way gas price spikes are transmitted into UK electricity bills is also on the agenda. The government wants to shift older, clean energy projects - which account for about one-third of Britain’s electricity generation - onto fixed-price contracts.


Steps will also be taken to streamline planning, land access and grid connection rules aimed at speeding upgrades and clean generation.


The energy secretary has also vowed to accelerate efforts to drive electrification across the economy. He said: “Even before the Iran war we were seeing record demand for technologies like rooftop solar, batteries, heat pumps and electric vehicles. And in the teeth of this crisis, for totally understandable reasons, demand for them is surging.”


Miranda Barker, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chair of RedCat, the county’s low carbon innovation agency, says it is vital action is taken on energy security and believes some progress is being made.


She says: “Our two worst pressures financially on business and households since covid have been energy price shocks caused by global


The two latest deals are set to significantly


increase the group’s scale and longer-term operating capital generation potential


They would be paid their own renewable energy price rather than the market electricity price, which is often set by gas, plus any previously agreed subsidy.


The aim is to bring them more in line with more recent renewable energy developments, which already pay a fixed price.


The government says the move will give both generators and consumers protection from sudden international gas price movements where they “deliver clear value for money”.


events and our dependence on overseas energy sources


“We achieved 51 per cent of electricity production in 2025 from renewables and over 44 per cent of energy production was renewably sourced with no coal in the mix for the first time.”


Now she wants to see a firm commitment for the UK to work towards a target of full-energy self-sufficiency – either in a decade’s time or at a sensibly agreed date.


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