US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, has criticised the clean energy deal signed by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, arguing that it will not meet the country's energy needs. The deal, known as the Hamburg Declaration, was signed on Monday by the UK and eight other North Sea nations, committing to 100 gigawatts of joint offshore wind projects.
Stephens urged the UK government to adopt an 'all of the above' energy policy, including exploiting North Sea oil and gas reserves and expanding nuclear energy. His comments echo those of President Donald Trump, who earlier this month criticised the UK's North Sea policy at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Hamburg Declaration was described as 'historic' by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Miliband said the deal would help 'get the UK off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and give us energy sovereignty and abundance'.
However, Stephens stated: 'The fact is that wind power is an unreliable method to meet the needs of the people of this country.' He added that the US wants the strongest partner in the UK, which begins with taking advantage of North Sea oil and gas.
The UK government has committed not to issue new licences for oil and gas exploration and aims for a clean electricity system by 2030. The US is the UK's largest supplier of liquified natural gas (LNG), and American firms are involved in the North Sea oil and gas industry.
