Writing in The Telegraph, world economy editor Ambrose Evans-Pritchard has made a bold prediction that the UK will soon be the leading energy power in Europe.

Based on the UK’s energy mix of high technology, nuclear, SMRs, oil, wind and solar, the next ten years might be the only major country in Europe with a diversified and secure energy ecosystem. The result of a more pragmatic approach to getting energy where you can.

If Evans-Pritchard is right, and Neso seems to be thinking along similar lines, it might please the majority, whilst the extremes could be angry. The idea of utilising oil in any form will disappoint some, nuclear others, and yet more will question the cost of renewables.

Highlights of his vision include Rolls-Royce’s small modular reactor and the plentiful wind available in the North Sea. He also argues that the road to hydrogen will not be the solution that some in the EU believe. The bet also assumes that the cost of storage will fall as the cost of lithium batteries has fallen.

Realistically, this vision accepts that there are limits, even the most optimistic must agree that the UK is nor best placed for mass solar, but overall, as long as the politicians accept a sensible route rather than attempting to run after supports from extremists, it might just get there.

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