The UK government dismissed media reports suggesting it might drop its flagship Clean Power 2030 policy, which aims to generate 95% of electricity from clean energy sources by 2030, calling the claims “completely wrong.”
A government spokesperson responded to an article in The Guardian reporting that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was considering scrapping the commitment to help curb rising energy bills.
Energy costs have become a prominent issue in recent weeks, with opposition parties arguing that government subsidies for renewable energy, which are ultimately recovered from billpayers, hinder efforts to reduce costs for consumers and businesses and constrain economic growth.
The Guardian report cited sources saying discussions had been accelerated ahead of the UK’s forthcoming Allocation Round 7 auction, with a budget announcement expected next week. It suggested ministers might limit ambitions for offshore wind and solar capacity if strike prices proved significantly higher than costs for equivalent gas-fired generation.
However, the government rejected these claims, emphasizing that global fossil fuel price volatility remains a key factor in driving long-term energy costs.
“The government and prime minister are fully committed to delivering Clean Power 2030 because it is how we deliver a system that brings down bills for consumers and protects them against future shocks,” the spokesperson said.
The Clean Power 2030 policy remains central to the UK’s broader climate strategy, underpinning efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring energy security.
