‘Misguided’ North Sea oil and gas dash risks impacting offshore wind targets

Competition over limited supply chain resources will disproportionately affect renewables, experts warn

A wind farm in the North Sea. Government support for new oil and gas in the area could raise costs and delay offshore wind expansion (Getty)

The Conservative government’s renewed support for oil and gas extraction in the North Sea may come at the expense of the UK’s offshore wind industry, further hampering any chance of the country reaching its 2050 net zero emissions targets.

The government has said 899 oil and gas locations are being offered for exploration, with as many as 100 licences expected to be awarded by 12 January.

The decision comes despite climate scientists and energy experts warning that no new fossil fuel projects should be undertaken anywhere in the world due to the worsening climate emergency.