Energy secretary Ed Miliband has argued that the Iran war proves the need to speed up the transition to clean power to avoid exposure to fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators. National Grid estimates the energy transition will cost well over £100 billion by 2035.
Professor Dieter Helm of Oxford University has criticized the government's approach, warning that relying on renewables without domestic gas production makes Britain more vulnerable to hostile powers. According to Helm, under Miliband's net zero charge, Britain will use more wind and solar but still depend on gas when renewables are insufficient. He also warns that Britain's reliance on imported green technology, mostly from China, leaves the country dangerously exposed as global tensions intensify.
It is hard to think of a way to make Britain more vulnerable to a hostile power.
Miliband is blocking new drilling in the North Sea and imposing punitive taxes on existing producers. Helm says high energy costs have led to de-industrialisation and current policy has little impact on global greenhouse gases.