Kings speech13 May 2026 17:03
Fast-track green energy infrastructure
BySimon Jack
Business editor
Energy policy has been a contentious issue with opposition politicians, businesses and even Labour-friendly unions calling for the government to be more open to new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.
References to the Energy Independence Bill in the King's Speech show no sign of movement in that direction, with renewed promises to meet manifesto commitments to ban new oil and gas exploration licenses and accelerate adoption of renewables.
One feature of UK energy prices is that the price of gas often dictates the price of electricity, as gas-fired power stations are often the bit of energy that helps supply meet demand.
Plans to weaken that link are in the bill, along with measures to speed up the building of energy infrastructure to get new renewables connected to the grid more quickly by fast-tracking planning. The arrival of new substations, sea cables on shore and hundreds of miles of new pylons may create local disputes.