Government told to focus on transition to mix of wind, solar, tidal and nuclear energy

More drilling in the North Sea would do nothing to improve the UK’s energy security, former military leaders have said, as a new analysis finds no fossil fuel importer is safe from chokepoints in the global supply chain.

The government should focus on a rapid transition to a mix of wind, solar, tidal and nuclear energy to ensure the UK’s future security, the former military leaders told the Guardian, as well as a programme of energy efficiency and a “major renewal” of the electricity grid.

They made the comments as the Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, launched a “get Britain drilling in the North Sea” campaign on Monday. It is the latest call from rightwing politicians and fossil fuel corporations to reverse the Labour party’s ban on new licences.

Retired R Adm Neil Morisetti, a professor of climate and resource security at University College London, said attempting to eke out the remaining oil and gas from the North Sea was “not the answer” to the challenges facing the UK.