The two finalists in the battle for the UK Premier’s office were wooing voters with their resolution to the energy crisis. Liz Truss, who was appointed Foreign Secretary by Boris Johnson as a result of a cabinet reshuffle, was certainly the frontrunner. Among her election pledges, she undertook to issue a series of oil and gas drilling licences in the North Sea and also to approve the exploration of new oilfields. The policymaker believes this move will ensure the energy independence and security of the United Kingdom. Experts say that the energy policy of Liz Truss would be the most convincing argument for her election. If she notches the victory, the new government could issue at least 130 licences for drilling and exploration. Importantly, fracking for shale gas was banned in the UK until September 2022. Liz Truss is planning to give the green light to companies seeking permission for shale gas production. She aims to freeze sky-high electricity bills at current levels which are already putting a great strain on households. Nevertheless, experts doubt that active drilling would make immediate relief.
For the time being, the British top officials, including energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng, are making every effort to ramp up energy production in the country, revive the exploration of oil and gas deposits in the North Sea, give impetus to building nuclear power plants, and shift to renewable energy sources.
