Britain is at a crossroads, with its energy future hanging in the balance. On August 9, 2025, Chris Stark, the Energy Secretary’s Head of Mission Control for Clean Power by 2030, sounded the alarm: the UK must transform itself into a net zero "electrostate"—and fast. But what does that mean for ordinary Britons, and why is China, of all countries, being held up as the model to follow?
Stark, one of the country’s most influential energy and climate experts and a close ally of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, laid out his vision in The Telegraph. He argued that as the world pivots away from petrostates—think Saudi Arabia and Russia—toward nations that control clean energy, Britain risks being left behind if it doesn’t electrify at a pace to match global frontrunners like China, India, and Sweden.
“China, still the world’s largest consumer of coal, is now moving towards a cleaner future: laying vast networks of transmission lines, rolling out the world’s biggest fleet of electric vehicles, and deploying solar and wind at a scale that now dwarfs the rest of the world. We ignore these changes at our peril,” Stark wrote in The Telegraph. The message was clear: the global race is on, and the stakes are high.
Stark’s argument isn’t just about reducing emissions, though that’s certainly a part of it. He emphasized the economic imperative, writing, “This isn’t just about cutting emissions. It’s about cold, hard economics. India, Sweden and China and many other countries recognise the future is electric – the blueprint for a more efficient economy and the basis for economic dominance in the decades to come. Britain should be among these new electrostates.”
But the comparison with China is, to put it mildly, controversial. China remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and its annual coal consumption has soared from 1.3 million tonnes in 2000 to an eye-watering 5 billion tonnes today, according to International Energy Agency data. While China is rapidly expanding its clean energy infrastructure, it’s still building new coal-fired power stations and relies on coal for about 60% of its electricity.
Claire Coutinho, the Conservative former energy secretary and now shadow energy spokeswoman, was quick to criticize Stark’s approach. She told The Telegraph, “China, unlike Labour, isn’t planning for a system that relies on wind and sun – they are still 60pc powered by coal and building more of it as well as every other type of energy. Living standards depend on having lots of cheap energy. That’s why we should back the North Sea and build a lot more nuclear.”
There’s also the thorny issue of human rights. China’s clean energy surge has been marred by allegations of forced labor, particularly involving the Uyghur minority in solar panel manufacturing. Stark’s boss, Ed Miliband, initially sidestepped the issue, but a backbench rebellion earlier this year forced the government to legislate for slavery-free supply chains for UK renewables.
Still, Stark insists that Britain must not shy away from bold action. He argues that the country’s once-in-a-generation investment in the electricity grid will unlock the full potential of renewables and nuclear power, ultimately driving down bills for households and businesses. “Our once-in-a-generation investment in our electricity grid across the country will allow renewables and nuclear to fulfil their promise of lowering bills for households and businesses, ensuring Britain is no longer hostage to volatile global gas markets,” he wrote.
That promise is especially significant, given that UK electricity currently costs four times more than gas—a fact not lost on critics. Coutinho put it bluntly: “If you want people to use electric cars and home heating, then it’s simple. You need to make electricity cheap.”
So, what’s actually being done to make this vision a reality? Stark highlighted several major initiatives already underway. Over the past year, the government has approved clean energy projects capable of powering more than two million homes and has attracted over £50 billion in private sector investment for clean energy industries. A multi-billion-pound deal for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant is expected to deliver clean energy for six million homes and support 10,000 jobs at the height of construction.
There’s also a renewed focus on offshore wind, one of Britain’s greatest natural assets. The Contracts for Difference scheme, which helps stabilize prices for renewable energy producers, has been credited with making projects like Hornsea Two possible. This massive offshore wind farm now powers over 1.4 million British homes and supports 600 jobs in areas like Grimsby and Hull. Meanwhile, the Sofia offshore wind farm in the North Sea is projected to contribute £760 million to the UK economy, with as much as £181 million of that flowing to Yorkshire and the Humber.
“These mega projects are drivers of growth,” Stark explained. “That’s why investment in clean energy is so important. Our mission is the start of a new era of clean energy abundance, where plentiful British wind and solar drives down energy costs, creates jobs, and gives our industries a global competitive edge.”
But it’s not just about wind and nuclear. The government is also moving ahead with first-of-a-kind carbon capture projects and plans to upgrade millions of homes with clean technologies, aiming to slash bills for both homeowners and renters. Stark sees these as the “big and bold energy policy decisions that are required for Britain’s reindustrialisation.”
There’s a sense of historical urgency in Stark’s words. He draws a direct line from Britain’s leadership in the Industrial Revolution—powered by coal, steam, and steel—to today’s clean energy revolution. “Two centuries ago, Britain’s embrace of coal and steam shaped the modern world. An industrial boom, based on domestically sourced energy and astonishing technological innovations. Fast forward to 2025, it is now clean power that provides the economic opportunity of the century,” he wrote.
Yet, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Critics warn that copying China’s model without addressing its environmental and ethical shortcomings could backfire. Others argue that Britain’s unique strengths—abundant offshore wind, world-class engineering, and a strong track record in renewables—should be leveraged in a way that fits the country’s values and economic needs.
Stark, however, remains optimistic. With the clarity of the clean power mission and the government’s commitment to ambitious targets, he believes Britain can secure a leading role in the emerging global order of electrostates. “The electrostates have already committed to a future powered by the wind, the sun and nuclear. That is Britain’s path too. We must not watch from the sidelines as others claim the rewards.”
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the decisions made in the next few years will shape Britain’s economic and environmental destiny for decades to come. For now, the race is on, and the world is watching to see if Britain can once again lead a revolution—this time, powered by clean electricity.