OEUK responds to publication of the Energy Independence Bill

Responding to the government's publication of the Energy Independence Bill today, David Whitehouse chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said:

"The government is right to put energy affordability at the heart of this Bill but affordability must go hand in hand with energy security.

"Today, Britain imports more than 40% of the energy it needs, leaving households and businesses exposed in an increasingly volatile world.

"We should be making the most of the energy we produce here at home rather than relying on imports. That means building out our world-class renewable resources while meeting as much of our continuing demand for oil and gas as possible from our own North Sea.

"Around 65% of the oil produced from the North Sea ultimately serves the UK market, supporting our energy security as well as British jobs, businesses and supply chains.

"Energy independence must mean backing our own North Sea, our own industries and our own people. Britain cannot import its way to energy independence."

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