Brexit Britain should ‘weaponise’ energy by binning green levies to slash electricity prices below the levels seen in every other EU state, a think tank claims
Theresa May was told that the headlong dash into renewables had triggered a “process of economic self-harm”
BREXIT BRITAIN should ‘weaponise’ energy by binning green levies to slash electricity prices below the levels seen in every other EU state, a think tank claims.
In a bombshell report, Theresa May was told the headlong dash into renewables had triggered a “process of economic self-harm”.
The UK’s industrial electricity price has DOUBLED since 2004 – driving away jobs and forcing energy intensive manufacturers to move vital production overseas, Civitas said.
In 2014 prices were 25 per cent above the EU average.
Civitas said the PM should use the opportunity of Brexit to bin all support for new renewable projects and even reopen coal mines if proves economical to do so.
Glyn Gaskarth, the report’s author, said the strategy could be a bargaining chip with the EU’s 27 other members in Brexit negotiations.
He said: “The UK needs to rip up its existing energy policy and replace it with a new policy that delivers low and stable energy prices for all users.
“Prices should be kept as low as possible.
“Low energy prices should be second only to ensuring the necessary investment in the infrastructure required to ensure secure and stable energy supplies.”
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He said that if it appeared the EU was going to impose tariffs on Brexit Britain, the Government should consider pulling out of the EU-wide scheme to tackle emissions.
The report comes just days after MPs blasted the Government for failing to produce a promised report on the impact of green energy schemes on Brits’ bills.
A cross-party committee said green energy subsidies were expected to add a staggering £110 to every household bill by 2020 – nearly £20 more than originally expected.
Ministers agreed in 2011 to set up a near £8 billion fund to help projects such as wind and solar farms get off the ground.
Former Business Secretary Sajid Javid was forced to rush through relief measures for Tata after the steel giant last year said green levies were forcing it out of business.
Tata chief Bimlendra Jha said the firm’s energy charges in the UK were £40 million more each year than those in Germany.