‘I can save Britain from Spain-style blackouts'

Telegraph

11-05-2025

He described Labour's energy policy under net-zero evangelist Ed Miliband as 'very muddled'. 'I don't think the investments are being made in the right place,' Truell added.
He pointed to the £22bn that has been set aside to invest in various carbon capture projects in the North West and North East of England, with three quarters of the outlay expected to be recovered via customer bills.
'You could have six or seven interconnectors to Iceland for that, and it would save a hell of a lot more carbon than sticking it underground,' he said. 'So I think that is just bonkers.'
Truell estimates that seven new interconnectors would bring around 12GW of power into the UK - equivalent to between 20pc and 25pc of Britain's electricity usage.
Truell is also concerned about the impact that some types of renewables are having on the landscape and rural areas.
'I love the countryside. Carpeting it with solar panels made in China, and overhead pylons, is just retrograde,' Truell said. Cables are cheaper and because they are generally buried underground, 'you don't spoil the countryside,' he said.
His criticism relates to Labour's plans to build thousands of new pylons in rural areas to help meet its ambitious clean power targets.
Miliband has called the intended rollout of new pylons, alongside wind turbines and solar panels, a matter of 'national security' as the Government seeks to make the energy grid carbon neutral by the end of the decade.
Pushing green projects
The Energy Secretary has also promised to 'take on the blockers, the delayers, the obstructionists'. But the proposals have been met with widespread dismay by affected communities.
Campaigners have accused the Government of using 'bullying tactics' to impose new green projects on local communities.
Truell called on ministers to change tack and adopt the approach taken in Switzerland, where he owns hotels and property, and spends much of his time.
'In Switzerland ... there is no building on greenfield [land] – none, zero, nought,' he said. 'Don't even apply because you're not going to get it. The Swiss are very straightforward about it: 'What part of no don't you understand?''
When it comes to land that has already been developed, the opposite stance is needed, he argued.
'Derogate planning permission for brownfield – you want to put a solar panel on your roof, just put it on. You don't want to apply for planning – just get on with it, take all that planning cost out. Every new house should have solar panels on it,' he said.
In an attack on the Chancellor's tax raid, Truell said the super-wealthy are 'fleeing Rachel Reeves'. 'It just seems so self-destructive. They're being driven out, mainly by changes in the tax regime. It's class envy, putting a tax on private schools and doubling taxes on second homes. The whole mood music is 'we don't want people',' he said.