Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans for the British state to play a key role in clean energy.
Labour proposes a publicly owned company, Great British Energy, to deliver its 2030 clean power goal.
Report suggests that current approach based on fragmented markets and private profits to decarbonise the energy system is slower, more costly, less secure, and more carbon intensive.
Electricity prices have directly contributed to inflation.
GB Energy could provide a faster, fairer and cheaper green transition.
Renewable investment financed out of Labour’s capitalisation of GB Energy could save on debt interest payments compared to corporate borrowing.
The present system, reliant on a liberalised wholesale electricity market, makes it difficult to rapidly rollout capital investment.
The UK’s own clean energy sector already has key stake in public ownership.
Sir Keir is looking to quadruple the power from sea-based windfarms by 2030, a goal that would be better achieved through GB Energy.
Conclusion: The UK has an opportunity to become a clean energy superpower, something that would be achieved more efficiently and socially just through state ownership of GB Energy, rather than privatisation.