Conservatives have looked at relaxing some of their green and net-zero targets. Getty Images
Conservatives have looked at relaxing some of their green and net-zero targets. Getty Images
Conservatives have looked at relaxing some of their green and net-zero targets. Getty Images
Conservatives have looked at relaxing some of their green and net-zero targets. Getty Images

Labour will treble solar power and quadruple offshore wind generation


Simon Rushton
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Labour has outlined plans for green energy targets that set up an election battle with the ruling Conservatives over eco-friendly policies.

Shadow energy secretary Ed Miliband said that if Labour won the next general election, it would double onshore wind, treble solar power and quadruple offshore wind generation.

Conservatives have looked at relaxing some of their green and net-zero targets after winning a by-election with a candidate who stood against an extension of efforts to improve London’s air quality with charges for drivers of polluting vehicles.

Speaking at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Mr Miliband outlined the green vision of party leader Keir Starmer.

“I am proud that Keir’s 2030 mission is for the greatest investment in homegrown energy in British history," he said.

“We’ll double onshore wind. We’ll treble solar. We’ll quadruple offshore wind. We’ll invest in nuclear and hydrogen and carbon capture and tidal power.

“That’s the new Britain we can build together.”

Mr Miliband, a former party leader, urged voters to "chuck them [Conservatives] into the seven dustbins of history".

His joke was aimed at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s boast that he had scrapped a series of "heavy-handed measures, such as forcing people to recycle in seven different bins".

"I couldn't believe some of the nonsense they were coming out with – delusional stuff about seven bins," Mr Miliband said.

The Labour MP suggested Mr Sunak was leading a "pound shop Republican Party", adding of Britons: "They don't want an energy policy written by [former UK prime minister Liz] Truss and [former US president Donald] Trump.

"Let's send these Tories to where they belong. Let's recycle them from government to opposition …"

  • Labour leader Keir Starmer is joined by his wife Victoria after delivering his keynote speech to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. PA
    Labour leader Keir Starmer is joined by his wife Victoria after delivering his keynote speech to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. PA
  • Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper speaks on the third day of the annual Labour Party conference. AFP
    Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper speaks on the third day of the annual Labour Party conference. AFP
  • A delegate wears a hat with a slogan which reads 'Tories Out' at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. Bloomberg
    A delegate wears a hat with a slogan which reads 'Tories Out' at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. Bloomberg
  • Mr Starmer speaks to shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves before she delivers a speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool. Getty Images
    Mr Starmer speaks to shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves before she delivers a speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool. Getty Images
  • Delegates applaud. Getty Images
    Delegates applaud. Getty Images
  • Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, right, at the Labour conference. EPA
    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, right, at the Labour conference. EPA
  • Delegates throng the ACC venue in Liverpool. EPA
    Delegates throng the ACC venue in Liverpool. EPA
  • David Lammy, shadow secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development, gives a speech to party delegates. Getty Images
    David Lammy, shadow secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development, gives a speech to party delegates. Getty Images
  • Mr Starmer applauds his deputy Angela Rayner after her address. AFP
    Mr Starmer applauds his deputy Angela Rayner after her address. AFP
  • Ms Reeves, fourth from right, and shadow cabinet colleagues listen to a speech from Ms Rayner. AFP
    Ms Reeves, fourth from right, and shadow cabinet colleagues listen to a speech from Ms Rayner. AFP
  • An uninvited speaker is removed from the podium. Getty Images
    An uninvited speaker is removed from the podium. Getty Images
  • Ms Rayner addresses delegates. Getty Images
    Ms Rayner addresses delegates. Getty Images
  • Pat McFadden, left, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and national campaign co-ordinator, and Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, listen to the opening speeches. Getty Images
    Pat McFadden, left, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and national campaign co-ordinator, and Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, listen to the opening speeches. Getty Images
  • Delegates arrive at the Liverpool Convention Centre for day one of the Labour Party conference. Getty Images
    Delegates arrive at the Liverpool Convention Centre for day one of the Labour Party conference. Getty Images
  • Mr Starmer arrives at the venue. PA
    Mr Starmer arrives at the venue. PA
  • Merchandise is seen in a store on the opening day of the conference. Reuters
    Merchandise is seen in a store on the opening day of the conference. Reuters
  • Delegates arrive for the conference which will run from Sunday, October 8 to Wednesday, October 11. Getty Images
    Delegates arrive for the conference which will run from Sunday, October 8 to Wednesday, October 11. Getty Images
  • Labour Party branding is displayed on the outside of the venue. AFP
    Labour Party branding is displayed on the outside of the venue. AFP
  • Liverpool councillor Heather Westhead, centre, attends the first day. AFP
    Liverpool councillor Heather Westhead, centre, attends the first day. AFP
  • Ms Rayner, right, and Johanna Baxter, chairwoman of the Labour Party National Executive Committee. Getty Images
    Ms Rayner, right, and Johanna Baxter, chairwoman of the Labour Party National Executive Committee. Getty Images
  • Wirral South MP Alison McGovern gives the opening speech. Getty Images
    Wirral South MP Alison McGovern gives the opening speech. Getty Images
  • Delegates visit the Labour Party shop. Bloomberg
    Delegates visit the Labour Party shop. Bloomberg
  • Baby clothes with Labour slogans. Bloomberg
    Baby clothes with Labour slogans. Bloomberg

"Every time they turn their back on a clean energy future, they leave us exposed to global fossil fuel markets … and they drive up bills and make us more insecure.

“And even as you’re paying record bills, they still refuse a proper windfall tax on the oil and gas companies.”

Labour remains committed to its £28 billion ($34.27 billion) green investment plan despite the figure not appearing in shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves's conference speech, a spokesman has said.

Asked if the absence of the £28 billion figure meant the plan had fallen down the list of Ms Reeves' priorities, a spokesman for the shadow chancellor said: "The programme of investment is still very much part of the package."

A small group of environmental protesters were ejected from the Labour party conference.

Protesters shouting "Revoke Rosebank" and other green slogans were escorted from the conference centre by security.

The group staged their protest in an exhibition overspill area near rooms staging conference fringe events.

Some bystanders applauded the group as they were led away.

Updated: October 09, 2023, 10:56 PM