Paying our fair share in renewable energy

THE issue of solar energy is going to become more important in our community over the next decade. Our country needs renewable energy to bring down our bills and tackle climate change.

- Tony Vaughan

At the moment, UK energy prices are set by the international oil and gas markets. This means we are vulnerable to huge energy price spikes, like we saw following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That hits all of us in the pocket.

By 2030, if we can generate enough home-grown energy through renewables, we will finally be able to take back control of our energy costs. This will mean setting our own energy prices, rather than taking whatever oil and gas price is dictated to us by foreign countries and markets. This is what energy independence looks like, while also showing leadership on tackling climate change.

That is the goal. To get there, we will need significantly more renewable energy generation in this country. I want more solar, wind, tidal, hydroelectric power. I also believe we can get there by investing in new nuclear.