Grant Shapps outlines the UK government’s energy goals

Pitched as a plan to guarantee the UK’s energy security, while also avoiding the “distortive” impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act, the Government proposed a new green strategy on Thursday.

The plan was hailed as “ambitious” by industry leaders and sees the Government stress its £20 billion investment in carbon capture technology and backing for new projects, as well as £160 million for port infrastructure to help expand offshore wind.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Tanya Sinclair, Senior Director, Public Policy – Europe, ChargePoint said: “We fully support the Government’s announcements today in their Powering Up Britain plans and we’re pleased to see an ambitious UK ZEV mandate that sticks to the 2030 deadline.

“The announcement brings much-needed certainty to the EV charging industry in the UK.

“The plans are more ambitious than those seen elsewhere, and will stand the country in good stead to guarantee numbers of EVs on the road from 2024, in preparation for the 2030 ICE ban.

“At an EU-level, we are disappointed by the attempt of some member states to include e-fuels in the EV-only commitment.

“The only way we will mitigate the climate impact of road transport emissions is through electrification and we look forward to continuing to work with the government on a robust ZEV mandate, introduced as quickly as possible following the consultation period.”

The EU reached a deal with Germany over the weekend allowing the registration of new vehicles with combustion engines even after 2035 provided they use climate-neutral fuel only.

In the UK, Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said the full plan would set out how the Government plans to “fix” the problem of securing cheap and reliable energy, as well as a vision of how the country can export its “green growth expertise to the world”.

New green hydrogen production projects also feature prominently alongside plans for the establishment of Great British Nuclear, with the Government also pointing to efforts to cut household bills – including offering £5,000 grants towards heat pump insulation and extending the scheme to 2028.

READ MORE: Air fryers drop to lowest ever price on Amazon – up to £100 off Ninja

More than £380 million will go towards improving the number of electric vehicle charge points while Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will reveal an update to the green finance strategy focused on attracting billions of investment for “net zero and nature recovery”.

Elsewhere the Government is set to publish a consultation on measures to address carbon leakage, raising the possibility of the UK following the EU and introducing a carbon border taxes regime.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said investment in renewables, nuclear energy and other sectors would boost jobs and create opportunities for British businesses but Mr Hunt played down suggestions that the UK was trying to compete with Washington or indeed follow its lead.

Don’t miss…
Mother handed eviction notice after complaining about ‘damp’ [INSIGHT]
Mum’s Kia ‘explodes’ into flames while driving her sons after recall [VIDEO]
‘Brexit could no longer be reversed’ as UK to join bloc, says expert [ANALYSIS]

Writing in The Times, he hit out at “massively distortive subsidies” and said that instead the UK would do things “the British way”.

“We are not going toe-to-toe with our friends and allies in some distortive global subsidy race.

“With the threat of protectionism creeping its way back into the world economy, the long-term solution is not subsidy but security,” he said.

In the days leading up to the announcement, the Government dampened suggestions that Thursday would be a “Green Day” – instead emphasising the energy security element underpinning the strategy.

Source: Read Full Article