Powering up Britain

Powering Up Britain

Energy security is one of this government’s greatest priorities – and why the Prime Minister created the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in February. The new department’s mission is to replace our energy with cheaper, cleaner, domestic sources. We will be powered by renewables including wind and solar, hydrogen, power with carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) and new nuclear plants - while recognising the vital role that UK oil and gas will play in the transition. This will make us much more energy independent, to protect us from volatile international energy markets, while underpinning our clean energy transition, so the UK becomes a net zero economy by 2050. The energy transition in line with net zero is one of the greatest economic opportunities for this country and we are committed to ensuring that the UK takes advantage of its early mover status.

Powering Up Britain sets out the department’s approach to energy security and net zero, and acts as an introduction to Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan, and Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan, both of which are complementary and should be read alongside each other.

Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan

Together with the Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan, this document sets out the steps the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is taking to ensure the UK is more energy independent, secure and resilient. The plan will build on our ambitions set out in the British Energy Security Strategy and the Net Zero Strategy to enable the transformation of the energy system so it is secure, low-cost and low-carbon. We will move towards energy independence by aiming for a doubling of Britain’s electricity generation capacity by the late 2030s, in line with our aim to fully decarbonise the power sector by 2035, subject to security of supply, whilst recognising the role that UK’s oil and gas sector will play in that transition.

This plan is complemented by the Net Zero Growth Plan, with a focus on our long-term decarbonisation trajectory and how it can improve the UK’s competitiveness, deliver an industrial renaissance and level up the whole of the United Kingdom. It should be read together with this plan.

Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan

Together with the Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan, this document sets out how the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero aims to enhance the UK’s energy security, seize the economic opportunities of the transition, and deliver on our net zero commitments. This plan:

• responds to the expert recommendations made in the Independent Review of Net Zero, chaired by Chris Skidmore MP
• sets out the actions we will take to ensure the UK remains a leader in the net zero transition, by ensuring we drive investment into key green industries like offshore wind, CCUS, and nuclear
• acts as our annual update against the Net Zero Strategy, both on a national and local level
• responds to the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) Annual Progress Report in 2022
• sets out the package of policies and proposals that will help us to meet carbon budgets up to carbon budget 6 in 2037