Britain wants to become more independent from countries like Russia when it comes to energy supplies. Hundreds of new licenses are now to be granted for oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Harsh criticism comes from environmentalists.

Britain plans to issue hundreds of new licenses for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Russia is weaponizing energy and disrupting supplies around the world, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement. “Now more than ever it is important that we strengthen our energy security and use this independence to provide British homes and businesses with more affordable and clean energy,” Sunak continued.

With the development of domestic reserves, the country will become more independent from states such as Russia in terms of energy supplies, Sunak told BBC radio. “We don’t want to depend on dictators like that for our energy.”

Criticism of the climate and environmentalists

An important part is investment in the local North Sea. Additional financing licenses should also be granted in the future. The first new licenses are scheduled to be issued in the fall. The plans have become a key contentious issue in Britain ahead of a general election due next year.

Climate and environmental activists criticized the plans. They accuse the Conservative government of gradually abandoning environmentally friendly policies. Sunak just wants to secure votes with populist headlines like promoting drivers and cheap energy.

The opposition Labor Party, which currently leads Sunak’s Conservatives in the polls, wants to prevent new licenses for oil and gas production in the North Sea.

Sunak: Climate protection goals they are not undermined

The prime minister rejected accusations that the government was undermining its own targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. Even then, a quarter of energy needs would have to be met by oil and gas, Sunak said. But it is better to produce energy yourself than to buy it from “enemy states”. Sunak also argues that producing oil and gas in the North Sea will reduce Britain’s CO2 emissions compared to the alternative of importing liquefied natural gas.

Emissions from across the country are also planned to be stored in underground storage facilities under the North Sea, off the Scottish coast. The controversial storage of climate-damaging carbon dioxide plays a major role in Britain’s plans to become climate neutral by 2050. The measures would create thousands of new jobs, Sunak said. Critics advocate focusing more on emissions reductions.