Renewables are solution, not problem

HOW can we get our energy bills down? Claire Coutinho’s claim that high prices are due to “the soaring policy costs of renewables” is misleading and ignores key facts.

- Maddie Evans.

The wholesale cost of gas is by far the biggest factor and it has never fallen back to the pre-Ukraine war level, adding approximately £200 to the typical annual gas bill, and £70 to the electricity bill since 2020.

Avoiding similar price hikes in future requires a decisive move away from both gas generation and gas heating.

Contrary to the claim, having a successful UK renewables sector has actually been helping to keep bills down. Something we should be proud of.

Modelling by UCL shows that British renewables have substantially reduced European gas prices since 2010. Furthermore, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit highlights how the increasing contribution of renewables domestically lowers prices by reducing our reliance on more expensive gas power plants.