The UK gives the green light to the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea: energy security trumps environmental protests
The decision was announced as inflation soared to 3.5 per cent. Gas will be available from the end of the month, and production is set to rise by 6 per cent. Environmentalists are calling it ‘climate vandalism’
LONDON – The British Government has given the green light to the development of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, which had been approved in 2022 but had subsequently been put on hold due to objections from environmentalists. The decision “will safeguard hundreds of jobs and heat millions of homes this winter”, said Downing Street, emphasising that Jackdaw will be able to start supplying gas to homes and businesses as early as the end of this month and increase gas production by 6 per cent.
It is no coincidence that the decision was announced this morning, just as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released figures on inflation, which rose to 3.5 per cent in September, a sharp jump from 3.1 per cent in August, The rise, which exceeded analysts’ forecasts, was mainly due to fuel prices.
The Government is therefore seeking to play down the controversy by emphasising the issue of energy independence. “At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, it is right that we should seek to make responsible use of the energy reserves we have in Britain,” said Prime Minister Andy Burnham. “We are determined to transition to renewables and achieve net zero by 2050.”
To appease the criticism from environmentalists, the Government announced this morning the creation of an Energy Wealth Fund, pledging to channel the revenues from Jackdaw and other North Sea fields into this fund to invest in renewable energy. The Fund will start with an endowment of £2 billion and “will invest in the clean energy of the future, creating jobs, stimulating growth and strengthening the UK’s energy security”, said John Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Despite this, the Government’s decision has drawn immediate criticism, and protest demonstrations are planned for today in London. The leader of the Greens, Zack Polanski, described it as ‘climate vandalism’. Greenpeace UK said the decision demonstrates “the toxic power of lobbyists who dictate our energy choices” and that Jackdaw will only create a few short-term jobs and will do nothing to lower British households’ energy bills.
