Labour Sets Course for ‘Clean Power by 2030’

The Labour Party has unveiled a bold plan to achieve clean power by 2030, as detailed in its manifesto released ahead of the general election. Central to this strategy is the establishment of Great British Energy, a publicly owned company that will be capitalised with £8.3 billion over the next parliament to support local energy production.

Labour aims to work with the private sector to double onshore wind capacity, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind by 2030, while also maintaining a commitment to nuclear energy. A new Energy Independence Act will establish the framework for these energy and climate policies.

Great British Energy will partner with industry and trade unions to support capital-intensive projects and deploy local energy production, benefiting communities across the country. Local power generation is seen as essential for reducing pressures on the transmission grid, with Labour planning to increase distributed production capacity through its Local Power Plan. This initiative will see thousands of clean power projects, including onshore wind, solar and hydropower, installed in collaboration with energy companies, local authorities and co-operatives.

The manifesto also pledges to maintain a “strategic reserve” of gas power stations to guarantee energy security. Labour commits to a phased and responsible transition in the North Sea, with no new oil, gas, or coal licenses issued and a permanent ban on fracking.

REA CEO Nina Skorupska praised Labour’s commitment to the renewable and clean technology sectors, emphasising the need for regulatory reform to speed up grid issues and decision-making processes. Ross Driver, Fund Manager at Foresight Solar Fund Limited, supported Labour’s ambition but called for stable and competitive electricity pricing to grow renewable capacity.

Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, Rebecca Newsom, lauded Labour’s commitment to ending reliance on oil and gas and promoting renewable energy. However, she urged for more ambitious plans, advocating for higher taxes on the super-rich and polluting companies to fund public services, nature restoration and support for vulnerable communities facing climate impacts.