Starmer set to align UK with tougher EU net zero targets under electricity market talks

"Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to push Britain into significantly stricter net zero commitments as part of negotiations to rejoin the EU's internal electricity market, a move that has triggered accusations from critics that the government is surrendering control over UK energy policy."

"However, EU officials have made clear that re-entry would require the UK to sign up to the bloc's wider renewable energy and decarbonisation framework. That would mean committing not just to cleaning up electricity generation, but to accelerating decarbonisation across heating, transport and industry."

"The potential commitment was revealed in a technical document quietly published on the Cabinet Office website, which states that any electricity agreement should include "an indicative global target for the share of renewable energy in the gross final consumption of energy in the United Kingdom", comparable to that of the EU to ensure a "level playing field"."

"Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said the move would amount to handing decision-making power back to Brussels. She warned that UK ministers could be forced to pursue emissions reductions "regardless of what it will do to people's energy bills or the competitiveness of our businesses"."

Sir Keir Starmer is negotiating re-entry to the EU internal electricity market, which would align Britain with the bloc's integrated electricity trading system. EU officials state that re-entry would require signing up to the EU's broader renewable energy and decarbonisation framework, extending commitments beyond electricity to heating, transport and industry. Meeting EU expectations would effectively double the UK's net zero ambition, raising renewable share targets from around 22% to the EU's 42.5–45% by 2030. A technical Cabinet Office document references an indicative global renewable target comparable to the EU to ensure a level playing field. Critics warn this could cede energy policy control and affect bills and competitiveness.

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