But we also have oil reserves in the North Sea, so we don't need to be totally reliant on foreign sources. Plus, of course, fracking. There is still coal available - surely with modern technology, we can make coal power stations cleaner.
We do need to be self reliant in energy, and the obvious solution is a mix of nuclear (maybe the small reactors Rolls Royce are developing - make them successful, and that would be a good export to help our balance of payments), gas, oil, coal and renewables. We need such a mix for when renewables are not available.
I've also heard proposals for a massive solar panel 'farm' in north Africa, with an interconnector straight to the UK, but that would still be subect to foreign interference, e.g. if there was a coup.
I don't think there's any real way to make coal clean, and carbon capture is pretty much a total scam - but something companies can use to continue burning fossil fuels and appear caring.
Having our own oil reserves doesn't mean cheaper fuel for us, as the prices are fixed. Rishi was quite keen to fool people to the contrary.
As for solar farms, I think I've seen a few discussions that point out the losses in transmission huge distances. And, yes, there's the risk of future wars cutting us off. Plus, in extreme heat, solar generation actually doesn't do that well.
It makes sense to spread the solar farms around (it's not like they're all connected and need to be next to each other).
Which to circle back around is why I find it bizzare some people are of the view that we should just forget renewable and "drill baby drill". Quite apart from climate concerns, why would we want to be beholden to such nations? Either directly or indirectly.
If you wanted to build a solar farm, you need to aquire the land, buy the panels, install them and all the other ancillary equipment. That's a cost to you. Sure, you will hope to make a lot of profit, but all the risk is on you - and the odds are often against you as Governments go off green energy and promote more use of fossil fuels...
...because Oil companies have vast budgets and are well known to fund organisations and pay influencers and the media, sometimes directly and other times via advertising or sponsored content.
I am not really aware of similar green-energy lobbying. Chances are even the pro-solar groups are oil companies that know they have to be seen to support green solutions, and may get grant money for such schemes, but will never go 'all in'.
