Bacton gas plant in Norfolk is hidden hero, says PM

The Prime Minister described a gas terminal in Norfolk as a "hidden hero" of the UK energy sector and reinforced his commitment to fossil fuels during a visit to the facility.

Rishi Sunak said it was "wrong to ignore the importance of gas in our energy mix" while at the Bacton Gas Plant near Mundesley.

The government earlier announced new oil and gas licences would be awarded annually.

Labour has criticised the plans.

"I think there is an enormous potential for Bacton to become an energy hub for the UK," said Mr Sunak.

"It's already the hidden hero of our energy sector, given how important it is to keeping the lights on in our country."

Bacton, which is a hydrocarbon gas processing plant, provides about one third of the UK's gas supply.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Sunak defended the government's commitment to fossil fuels, and said "the good news" is it was supporting renewable energy production at the same time.

"It would be wrong to ignore the importance of gas in our energy mix going forward," he added.

Touring the Bacton site, Mr Sunak said the UK had "reduced emissions faster than any other major country in the world", which he said was why - in September - he announced some changes to climate policies, including the ban on petrol and diesel car sales being delayed from 2030 to 2035.

Government figures published in March 2023 said UK carbon emissions from electricity generation had fallen by about three-quarters since 1990.

However, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) says the UK still relies too heavily on fossil fuels for its total energy needs.

The CCC, National Audit Office and a cross-party group of MPs warned the UK risked missing its 2050 net zero emissions target.

But the Prime Minister said licences for places like Bacton would help create local jobs and "save families across Norfolk, and the country, five, ten, [or] £15,000".

Earlier on Monday, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho told the BBC the government plans for annual licences "wouldn't necessarily bring energy bills down" but would improve the "security" of supply.

Environmental group Greenpeace said encouraging oil and gas production was "backward-facing" and vowed to fight new licences in court.

Labour said it would not grant new licences if it won the next general election.

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