A new government faces a critical energy dilemma as it charts the path to net zero, with oil and gas still dominating the UK’s energy mix. Despite rapid growth in domestic renewables, nearly half of the country’s total energy supply remains imported, raising questions about energy security. The debate now centers on whether domestic production of oil and gas should be scaled back or maintained to bridge the gap while transitioning to cleaner alternatives. The prime minister’s first major energy remarks highlight the tension between reducing fossil fuel dependence and ensuring stable energy supplies.
Government decision is about how much oil and gas is sensible for UK to produce on the way to net zeroBusiness live – latest updatesAndy Burnham hit the nail on the (well)head in his first fortnight as prime minister when he said: “The question isn’t whether Britain will still be using oil and gas, the question is, where does it come from?”It was a nod towards several awkward energy facts. First, oil and gas provided 75% of the UK’s energy in 2025, government data shows. Second, even with the rollout of domestic renewables for generating electricity, about 43% of overall energy was imported last year. Continue reading...
