We must secure our energy supply

FOR many years security of supply has taken a back seat in energy policy. We have been more concerned with price and, latterly, reducing emissions. The Tories privatised the gas and electricity industries to promote competition, as a route to cheap energy. But this has resulted in much of Britain's energy infrastructure falling into foreign ownership and becoming dependent on imported Russian gas. This gas is no longer cheap – witness the latest price rise by ScottishPower.

Under Labour, the emphasis has been on promoting renewables and setting emissions targets. But this raises the danger – as we report today – of being overly reliant on turbines for electricity generation. Turbines are obviously dependent on wind cond...