Labour has announced plans for Great British Energy, a publicly owned company aimed at producing clean energy domestically if the party wins the next election.
This initiative, part of Labour’s “Six Steps for Change” campaign in Wales, focuses on energy reform as its fourth step.
Labour stated that the new company would work to reduce energy bills and tackle the cost of living crisis through substantial investment in renewable energy.
The party criticised the current government for previous decisions to cut renewable energy investments, which they said have left the UK vulnerable to global fossil fuel market fluctuations, especially following the invasion of Ukraine.
Great British Energy would be headquartered in Scotland and funded by a windfall tax on major oil and gas companies, projected to raise £8.3 billion over five years.
The company would initially concentrate on wind and solar projects, with plans to invest in floating offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage technologies.
The Scottish National Party has voiced concerns about the proposal, suggesting it could negatively impact Scottish jobs and investment.
Labour, however, argues that the initiative will create new jobs and transform ports like Holyhead to support emerging energy technologies.
During his campaign speech in Milton Keynes, Rishi Sunak emphasised the Conservative Party’s commitment to ensuring UK energy security without requiring costly upgrades for households.
Mr Sunak highlighted a more gradual approach to energy policy, contrasting with Labour’s ambitious green energy plans, and assured voters that the Conservatives aim to manage energy costs without sudden financial burdens.
