UK offers new gas, oil exploration licenses in North Sea to boost nation’s supply amid backlash from activists

The UK government has opened a licensing round for gas and oil exploration in the North Sea amid strong criticism from environmentalists. Scientists and activists have opposed the move and said that the allowed exploration is against the climate change initiatives of the country.

The Tories have given the nod to licensing round, citing that the gas and oil exploration is creating new jobs in the UK, which is currently suffering from its worst economic crisis since the global financial crisis. The move is also expected to strengthen the country’s energy security. The Conservative Party also pointed out that exploring oil and gas in the North Sea would damage the environment less than the imports of these products.





UK Climate Minister Graham Stuart said that exploration was good for the environment, though he himself mentioned that his statement sounded contradictory. He stated that burning the locally sourced gas would result in lower emissions than foreign imports and would also create jobs for the British public.

Gas and electricity prices across Europe have risen significantly since the war between Ukraine and Russia begun in February. The looming crisis has forced countries to find alternative solutions to ensure energy security as shortages have started to seep in. The UK’s electricity board has already indicated that it would have to announce planned blackouts this winter if the energy requirements of the electricity-generating plants are not fulfilled.

FAQs

1. When did the UK last experience a planned blackout?
   The last planned blackout happened in the 1970s.
2. How is UK battling energy crisis amid Russia-Ukriane war?
   The looming crisis in UK has forced countries to find alternative solutions to ensure energy security as shortages have started to seep in.