There is a case for energy subsidies if there is a reasonable expectation that the price will fall back in the future. No different to furlough scheme during the pandemic - it saved a lot of people from huge financial stress and has rightly now been withdrawn.
The problem with UK energy capacity goes back ~three decades.
The regulator, despite having responsibility for capacity, has failed to ensure sufficient investment. This may be due to consumer and government) pressure over energy charges as investment and spare capacity costs money.
Various governments delayed approval of nuclear and wind turbines. No new nuclear has come online since 1995. Hinckley C is years late. Sizewell C still an aspiration. Licences for new wind turbines have only just been issued after 7 years of close to zero progress. Pathetic!!
Policy has been driven by public opinion, often formed by minority interest groups. As critical infrastructure, government must drive through that which is needed, not appoint more commissions, reports, consultations and other time consuming (wasting) tactics.
The final problem is complacency. Relative price stability (shattered by Ukraine disruption) made acting earlier to increase independence seem costly. Remember the fuss over the Hinckley C price - now it seems a good deal, then it was an outrageous waste of money.
Sadly, we get what we vote for and are prepared to pay for.
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