UKTech giants to UK Ministers: relax Net Zero rules or miss out on AITech giants have told ministers that Britain’s AI data-centre boom may require temporary on-site gas generation to overcome high energy costs and grid delays, highlighting tensions between the UK’s Net Zero goals and its ambition to be a global AI leader. Ministers say they aim to meet demand with clean power by 2030 but have not ruled out gas as a short-term fix. UK deindustrialisation latest: Grangemouth faces closureBritain’s biggest chemical plant is at risk of closure after surging energy costs and carbon taxes have left it struggling for survival. Despite cross-subsidy from INEOS’s global profits, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s firm has warned the Olefins and Polymers plant at Grangemouth is under threat if it cannot make a “significant turnaround” in the next few years. Highland councils win cross-party backing for debates on renewables over local impact fearsAt a packed Inverness meeting, 57 Highland community councils won backing from 11 MPs and MSPs for urgent Holyrood and Westminster debates on renewable energy projects, citing poor planning, weak local benefits, and a lack of democratic say over developments. Watch Fergus Ewing’s impassioned speech here. Reform tells energy companies to end their reliance on Net ZeroRichard Tice has met with 11 senior energy executives and told them that Reform UK would scrap Net Zero, arguing there is no democratic mandate for higher energy costs. During the meeting, he said Reform would prioritise nuclear and gas-fired power to deliver “abundant, reliable, cheap” home-grown energy. In seperate meeting with oil and gas firms, Tice has confirmed he told them to get applications ready for a Reform UK victory at the next general election. He pledges to end punitive taxes and fast-track applications. Tories seize on EV grant shambles to demand a Net Zero rethinkLabour is under pressure to lower its net zero targets in the wake of a “shambolic” electric car discount scheme that is being slammed by car dealers and industry experts. The Conservatives have called on the government to rethink the policy.
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