​UK households have the potential to reduce their reliance on foreign energy imports by a staggering 80% within the next five years, a new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) reveals. Currently, the average British home depends on imports for 67% of its energy needs, predominantly sourced from foreign fossil fuels used in petrol cars, gas boilers, and gas power stations.

The ECIU report recommends a series of measures for reducing this dependency, focusing on switching to electric vehicles and heat pumps powered by renewable energy, enhancing home insulation to minimise heat waste, and boosting domestic renewable energy production. These steps could stabilise energy costs and reduce the need for imports, all without further exploration of the North Sea.

Failure to implement these measures could lead to an increase in energy imports. Projections indicate that, without change, the typical UK home will import an additional three megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy by 2030 compared to 2024, a rise of around 20%. If the country continues to rely on oil and gas exploration and does not upgrade its renewable energy infrastructure, household energy imports could soar to 20MWh annually by 2030. This figure is 85% higher than the 3.4MWh of imported energy required if households were supported by more renewable energy sources.

The analysis suggests that the next parliament has a significant opportunity to assist households in transitioning to British renewables, thereby ensuring a more stable and sustainable energy future. By adopting these recommendations, the UK could protect itself from the kind of volatile energy prices experienced in recent years.

Supportive policies will be vital for reducing foreign energy dependence. The ECIU underscores the importance of swift action to secure a resilient and sustainable energy system for the UK.