Fears about the UK’s fuel security have persuaded the government to sanction drilling at a new gasfield development in the North Sea, it has been reported.
UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband, a strong supporter of renewables, is understood to have reluctantly given the green light to the Jackdaw gasfield amid mounting political pressure as concerns over fuel shortages and prices continue to mount.
Mr Miliband is “minded” to approve the Jackdaw development. Located about 150 miles off the coastal city of Aberdeen, it could supply gas to more than a million homes and account for up to 6 per cent of the UK’s future gas needs, The Times reported.
The potential approval comes amid growing concern about energy supply due to the US-Israeli war with Iran and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. The Labour government, which has previously been reluctant to promote fossil fuels, is coming under increasing pressure to ditch its ideology as high prices threaten industry production and domestic bills.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch this week criticised Keir Starmer’s hesitancy declaring that his government was “paralysed by indecision when Britain needs certainty”.
“At a time of global instability, including the war involving Iran, Britain should be strengthening its own energy resilience not weakening it,” she said, urging him to approve both Jackdaw and a new oilfield called Rosebank. “The choice is simple: produce energy at home or depend on others.”
The government’s stance appears to be softening, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently signalling support for increased North Sea drilling and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar stating that licences should be approved.
The GMB workers union has also urged the government to back both Jackdaw and Rosebank, citing jobs and energy security.
The Scottish National Party has also reversed its long-standing opposition to new drilling.
While Jackdaw is likely to be approved, the Rosebank oilfield will, despite growing pressure, remain without a licence for now. In opposition, Mr Miliband described drilling in Rosebank as “climate vandalism”.
A spokesperson for Mr Miliband told The National that the reports Jackdaw is about to be approved amount to “unfounded speculation” and a decision would only be made once all evidence was considered.
“We cannot comment on live planning decisions, and these decisions will be made in an appropriate and timely manner, after the last government’s plans were found to be unlawful,” the spokesperson added.
The project has been in abeyance since 2024, when a High Court ruling invalidated its licence for failing to consider emissions from burning the extracted gas. It is now under review by the regulator.
