Renewables Set To Shine In The UK Amid Fossil-Fuel Surge / Industry News / By Finulent Solutions Britain might just have reached its tipping point for renewable energy independence in 2026. Overview The opening months of 2026 have seen increased levels of geopolitical turbulence around the world. It’s assured to impact global energy availability, cost, and security – and also have broader economic implications. For the United Kingdom, experts imagine the rise in energy costs would only add to the growing list of interrelated problems the country faces today. But therein lies an opportunity for the UK government to double down on its clean energy goals in the wake of the recent wars. The past and present energy crisis Research from last week highlights the fossil fuel crisis around the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It reportedly cost the EU and the UK $1.8tn between 2022 and 2025, driving up costs of living. Fossil fuel prices currently surge once again by 7-8% in the latest session and over 30% in the past month amid war disruptions. But this evolving energy crisis reiterates the argument for renewables. “In the longer-term, the best way to keep energy bills low for UK households would be to expand our portfolio of generation options,” says Dr Anupama Sen, Head of Policy Engagement, Smith School of Enterprise & Environment. Accelerating the shift to renewables The clearest solution to the fossil fuel chaos is renewable energy. And it is now cheaper and faster-to-market than ever. Open letters are being written to PM Keir Starmer urging the government to reverse its ban on new oil and gas licences in the North Sea and give the green light to two new fields. But experts say this would effectively do nothing to reduce energy bills or improve energy security in the long run. The recent conflict in the Middle East is “yet another reminder that the only route to energy security and sovereignty for the UK is to get off our dependence on fossil fuel markets,” says the energy secretary, Ed Miliband. Considering this isn’t the first time the UK’s seen oil and gas prices soar off the back of a conflict, opportunity’s ripe for the government to step away from fossil fuels and speed up the transition to renewables. And the track is beyond laid out. Market forecasts show the UK renewable energy sector surging from $34.6 billion in 2025 to $73.6 billion by 2034 at an 8.76% CAGR, fueled by falling solar costs and offshore wind dominance. The most credible energy strategy Every tiny step for clean energy would permanently shield the country from precisely this kind of geopolitical crisis. “Doubling down on renewables” is the most prudent way forward to protect against such a shock from ever impacting the UK again, says the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade. This energy shock in particular might just be the tipping point for clean energy to pick up pace across the UK. Because while the country had little choice but to absorb the earlier ones, it’s now open to renewables as the most accessible exit ramp ever. “The UK is vulnerable to the volatility of international fossil fuel markets, and the only way to protect ourselves from these price increases is by speeding up the transition to domestic supplies of clean energy.” – Ed Miliband.
