Prosperity Institute report on cost of net zero: comment

"It's ironic to see this report barely a week after gas prices hit a four-month high as a result of conflicts in the Middle East - and while costs of that are yet to be fully felt as prices trickle down, we know the energy crises have cost the UK over £180bn already, with high and volatile fossil fuel prices to blame. Large UK windfarms lowered wholesale power prices by a third last year and make us less reliant on gas, the prices of which are dictated by the whims of foreign actors like Putin or Trump.

"The UK electricity grid needs modernising and upgrading after decades of under-investment, with spending today delivering benefits in the coming years; British renewables lower bills and make us less dependent on foreign gas so ensuring the grid can maximise their output is a no-brainer. 

"Calling for slowing down on renewables is also at odds with the British public who - during another heatwave in the UK with large parts of Europe on fire - want to see more built for energy security, more stable bills and us doing our bit to stop the worst of climate change. Impacts such as heatwaves will get more common and more severe with climate change; the only way to stop the problem getting worse to reach net zero emissions, and clean power is a part of that."