LONDON

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed on Thursday to overhaul the country's energy strategy, transforming it from a source of vulnerability to one of strength and security.

Speaking at the Energy Security Summit in London, Starmer outlined his government’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure, investing in renewable power, and strengthening partnerships across Europe to bolster energy independence and resilience.

“Since the 1970s, half of the UK recessions have been caused by fossil fuel shocks,” Starmer said, noting how past economic downturns have been linked to instability in global energy markets. “What is different now is the government’s determination to address this.”

“So to the British people, I say this government will not sit back. We will step up. We will make energy a source, not of vulnerability, but of strength,” he declared.

As part of his speech, Starmer stressed the importance of securing energy supply chains and highlighted the connection between energy security and national security.

“We will protect our critical infrastructure, energy networks, and supply chains, and do whatever it takes to protect the security of our people because—this is the crucial point—energy security is national security,” he said.

- 'Europe must never again be vulnerable to Russian energy blackmail.'

The prime minister took a firm stance on Russian energy revenues, calling for continued pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“Europe must never again be in a position where Russia thinks that it can blackmail us on energy,” he said. “Until Russia comes to the table and agrees to a full and unconditional ceasefire, we must continue to track down their energy revenues, which are still fueling Putin's war chest.”

Starmer also emphasized the importance of international cooperation, especially with European partners and North Sea nations.

“This is the moment to act, and it's the moment to build a partnership with the EU that meets the needs of our time, facing up to the global shocks of recent years and working together to minimize the impact on hardworking people,” he said.

“So we're doing more with the EU to improve our interconnections and make the most of our shared energy systems, as well as building on the fantastic partnerships that we already have with countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and so many others.”

He pointed to the shared potential of the North Sea as a key resource in addressing collective energy challenges, saying: “We have a common and important resource in the North Sea, which can help us meet common challenges. Now, to me, this is just common sense, so let's seize this potential to drive down bills, drive up investment and growth, and drive up energy security.”

Calling for a unified global push toward clean power, Starmer concluded: “Of course, this has to be a global effort as well. We need to see a wider coalition that unites the north and south in a global drive for clean power.”