Sir Tony Blair and former Italian premier Matteo Renzi have urged European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, to overhaul their energy strategies to prioritise supply and affordability. They stressed that while decarbonisation is “essential”, it cannot be pursued in isolation, warning that geopolitical shocks, such as the conflict in the Middle East, have left Europe “hopelessly exposed”.
New Report Highlights Energy Vulnerabilities
A new report from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) suggests that future global energy leaders will be those providing “abundant, secure and affordable energy at scale”. The report criticises decisions by the UK and Denmark to phase out fossil fuel production, arguing these have made the region more vulnerable to international markets during unstable times.
Recommendations for UK-EU Energy Cooperation
It also recommends a long-term “common market” relationship between the UK and EU for energy, suggesting Britain should be able to “opt in” to a continental electricity system planner. The former prime minister emphasised that cheap, plentiful energy is more important than a climate-first strategy, calling for a pragmatic approach to ensure energy security.
