The Great Energy Price Myth: Why We’re Being Sold a Lie
There’s a narrative circulating in the UK right now that’s as dangerous as it is misleading: soaring energy prices are the fault of renewable energy and net-zero policies. Personally, I think this is one of the most insidious pieces of misinformation in recent memory. It’s not just wrong—it’s a deliberate attempt to shift blame away from the real culprits. Let’s break it down.
The Blame Game: Renewables vs. Reality
One thing that immediately stands out is how neatly this narrative aligns with the interests of fossil fuel advocates. Right-wing politicians, think tanks, and billionaire-owned media outlets are pushing the idea that renewables are driving up costs. But here’s the kicker: renewables, particularly wind and solar, are the cheapest sources of electricity we have. What many people don’t realize is that the price of electricity isn’t determined by the majority of the energy mix—it’s set by the most expensive source, which is almost always fossil gas.
This raises a deeper question: why are we still so reliant on gas? The UK’s energy system is structured in a way that allows gas to dictate prices 98% of the time, compared to an EU average of 39%. From my perspective, this isn’t just an oversight—it’s a systemic failure. If we had better energy storage or relied more on nuclear and hydropower, as many EU countries do, we wouldn’t be at the mercy of volatile gas prices.
The Norway Paradox
A detail that I find especially interesting is the contrast with Norway. Norway, which supplies 76% of the UK’s gas imports, barely uses gas for its own electricity production. Instead, it relies on hydropower and wind, with gas accounting for just 0.9%. Yet, the UK is essentially exporting its energy security to Norway while importing its vulnerabilities. If you take a step back and think about it, this is the equivalent of selling your umbrella and then complaining about getting wet in the rain.
What this really suggests is that the UK’s energy crisis isn’t about renewables—it’s about a failure to diversify and modernize our energy infrastructure. The push to drill more in the North Sea or frack for gas is a red herring. Even if we extracted every last drop, it wouldn’t lower prices because gas is traded on international markets. The UK’s reserves are expensive to extract, and the industry benefits from generous tax breaks—yet the profits go to private companies, not the public.
The Neoliberal Trap
This brings me to a broader point: the neoliberal policies of the past few decades have left us in this mess. Margaret Thatcher’s ‘liberalisation’ of the energy sector essentially handed over public resources to private interests. Instead of building a sovereign wealth fund like Norway’s, which could have funded social care, railways, or infrastructure, we allowed profits to be siphoned off by corporations. In my opinion, this is the real scandal—not renewables.
The Steel Industry Red Herring
Another example of this misinformation campaign is the steel industry crisis. Last year, right-wing media blamed net-zero policies for the sector’s struggles. But the truth is far simpler: the UK’s high wholesale electricity prices, driven by gas, are the primary issue. Steel is exempt from most environmental levies, yet it’s still struggling because of the same gas-driven price spikes affecting everyone else.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how the narrative persists despite the evidence. Green levies and network charges account for just 6% and 20% of the rise in bills, respectively, while gas prices are responsible for 53%. Yet, the focus remains on renewables as the villain. Why? Because renewables threaten the profit margins of fossil fuel companies and their allies in the media and politics.
The Bigger Picture: Control vs. Competition
If you ask me, the real reason for this misinformation campaign is about control. Fossil fuels are concentrated resources, easily monopolized by a few powerful companies. Renewables, on the other hand, are decentralized and competitive—they don’t offer the same profit margins. For billionaires and media proprietors invested in fossil fuels, renewables are an existential threat. So, they’re fighting back with lies.
This raises a deeper question: how do we break this cycle? The answer lies in transparency, education, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. We need to stop being gaslit by those who profit from our confusion.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, the energy price crisis is a symptom of a much larger problem: a system designed to serve the few at the expense of the many. Renewables aren’t the enemy—they’re the solution. But as long as we’re fed lies about their cost and effectiveness, we’ll remain trapped in a cycle of dependency on fossil fuels. It’s time to see through the propaganda and demand a better future. After all, the truth is out there—if we’re willing to look for it.
