Kwasi Kwarteng, the Minister of Enterprise, has proposed the targets as part of the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) plans for inclusion in the forthcoming White Paper on Energy Security. The document was delayed because the cost of approving at least six nuclear power plants as part of an extension of the UK’s renewable energy strategy was discussed at the Treasury. BEIS targets include increasing solar energy from its current capacity from 14GW to 50GW, offshore wind power from 11GW to 50GW, terrestrial wind power from 15GW to 30GW and nuclear power from 7GW to 16GW, according to Financial Times. So far, solar energy and onshore wind farming have had no official government development targets. Earlier this month, Kwarteng said the development of the UK’s energy independence was a matter of national security. It is no longer about tackling climate change or achieving the Net Zero goals. Ensuring the independence of the United Kingdom clean energy is a matter of national security. Putin can set the price of gas, but he can not directly control the price of renewable energy and nuclear power in the United Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/1WNLnBV7q5 – Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) March 10, 2022 Boris Johnson has set a 10-point plan that includes a goal for the UK to get all its electricity from low-carbon sources by 2035. The expansion of wind and solar parks is likely to be opposed by some residents and campaign groups. Johnson, who has said his personal preference is to expand offshore wind power, is considering plans to provide financial incentives to residents affected by the construction of energy farms or nuclear power plants to win them over. Subscribe to the Business Email daily email or follow the Guardian Business on Twitter at @BusinessDesk On Tuesday, SSE, the power grid and grid company, upgraded its earnings forecasts following changes in weather conditions that improved production from renewable energy sources. The company – which boosted adjusted earnings by a share of the lead between 92p and 97p, from 90p – also said its thermal and hydroelectric plants had benefited from the turmoil in the oil and gas markets as a result of the war in Ukraine. “SSE’s comprehensive and balanced business model has performed well in turbulent market conditions,” said SSE Chief Financial Officer Gregor Alexander, who added that capital expenditures for the year to the end of March would exceed £ 2 billion. “Our major investment program will make a huge contribution to both net zero and energy security.”
