Donald Trump has made waves with his thoughts on the UK’s energy strategy, especially its move away from oil and gas. In a recent post on Truth Social, the former US president-elect called the UK’s decision to turn away from traditional energy sources a “huge mistake.” He urged the government to “open up the North Sea” and “get rid of windmills,” voicing his frustration with Britain’s renewable energy push.
So, what’s all the fuss about?
In October, the UK government decided to increase the “windfall tax” on North Sea oil and gas companies, raising it from 35% to 38%. The goal? To use the extra funds to boost renewable energy projects. But this hasn’t gone down well with everyone. Trump shared an article about Labour’s tax hike, which has led some companies to reconsider their operations in the UK.
One major player, US-based Apache, recently announced it will stop all production in the North Sea by 2029, claiming the new tax makes their business in the UK “uneconomic.” It’s just the latest in a long line of oil companies gradually exiting the region as its resources become less profitable. In fact, production from the North Sea has fallen sharply from 4.5 million barrels of oil per day in 1999 to just 1.3 million today.
The UK government, however, is focused on its goal to decarbonize the country’s power system by 2030. They aim to reduce reliance on gas-fired plants and ramp up renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. Over the next five years, the UK plans to quadruple energy generation from wind turbines.
Trump, on the other hand, has promised that if he returns to the White House, he’ll boost US oil and gas production. Meanwhile, some of the biggest players in the North Sea, including ExxonMobil and Shell, have already scaled back their operations or made plans to exit entirely.
In response to the ongoing changes, a UK government spokesperson explained that their priority is to ensure a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, aligning with climate and legal commitments. They also emphasized the importance of moving away from unstable fossil fuel markets, suggesting that clean, locally produced power is the way forward to protect consumers and strengthen energy independence.
While the debate continues, it’s clear that the UK’s energy future is at a crossroads—one that balances traditional resources with the promise of greener alternatives.
What do you think? Should the UK stick to its renewable energy goals, or is Trump right to call for a return to oil and gas?
