Britain has deindustrialised more than any other developed nation. The energy transition, the largest industrial demand signal this country will generate for decades, offers a chance to reverse that trend. The question is whether we take it.
In this first episode, I explore why Britain has become world-class at deploying energy infrastructure but consistently fails to capture the industrial value that comes with it. From the offshore wind content gap to the stop-start history of British industrial strategy, I make the case that energy is not just a climate or technology story. It is the cause and the cure for Britain’s deindustrialisation.
This is the first in a three-part series on the energy transition, from a broader podcast that will focus on energy, infrastructure, and industry.