UK hits new record for renewables generation, but energy efficiency falters

"The UK reaching a new record of renewables generation in the energy mix, hitting nearly 52%, just as the UK's last old coal plant shuts down signifies the net zero power transition's success to date. As bills are about to rise again due to high gas costs, renewables like our offshore wind farms are helping to stabilise prices and reduce the amount of gas we need to import from abroad as the North Sea continues its inevitable decline. This means we'll be less exposed to high gas prices in future which should protect households from unaffordable bills and the UK's wider economy from all the knock-on impacts of high gas prices.

"However, gas demand from our homes is still sky-high which leaves us vulnerable to price spikes and the International Monetary Fund has said this is part of the reason that we were so badly hit by the crisis. There's been very little progress on insulating homes over the last decade or so which has not only cost households extra in bills, but in the health system too; cold and damp homes cost the NHS billions every year. While there is renewed focus from the new Government on existing schemes, it remains to be seen whether more will be done to tackle homes which are making people colder and poorer this winter.

"Rolling out electric heat pumps is also key for lowering the UK's gas demand, as our homes are reliant on gas for heating today which leaves us vulnerable to the international gas markets that set the price. With deployment under government schemes continuing at pace, every heat pump installed lessens a households exposure to the next gas crisis, with other policies like the Clean Heat Market Mechanism crucial to build supply chains. Heat pumps are now required for our energy security as we have learned the hard way."