U.K. PM Boris Johnson Backs Wind Power In Bid to Shift Focus to Green Growth

Boris Johnson pledged to boosting U.K. offshore wind power as part of his delayed plan for a “green industrial revolution” as he seeks to get his stalled domestic agenda back on course. In a speech aimed at regaining a grip of the political agenda after months of negative headlines over his handling of the pandemic, the prime minister said renewable energy can help drive Britain’s economic regeneration. He announced 160 million pounds ($208 million) for infrastructure at ports to support companies building turbines off the British coast. “As Saudi Arabia is to oil, the U.K. is to wind -- a place of almost limitless resource, but in the case of wind without the carbon emissions and without the damage to the environment,” Johnson said Tuesday. “We believe that in 10 years time offshore wind will be powering every home in the country.” Johnson also touted the benefits of carbon capture and storage technology, nuclear power, solar panels, hydrogen, home insulation and heat pumps as a way to help the U.K. reach its target to zero out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and create highly skilled “green collar jobs”.