While still on the fringes of Westminster, could Reform UK’s growing local presence, covered in our previous article, create new obstacles for the national net zero agenda? In this article, Brevia Energy examines what the rise of Reform UK could mean for the energy sector.
What is Reform UK’s position on energy?
Reform UK is critical of the Government’s net zero trajectory and its emphasis on renewables, arguing it is an unnecessary cost burden and a threat to national security.[1] The Party’s priorities on energy can be summarised as:
- Short-term: Expand North Sea oil and gas extraction to support the domestic energy supply.
- Longer-term: Invest in domestic energy sources such as nuclear to ensure long-term energy sovereignty and affordability.
Implications for the Energy Sector
With limited representation in Westminster, Reform UK faces barriers to directly shaping national policy. Nonetheless, the party has been explicit in its intention to use its new positions in local authorities to scrutinise the clean energy transition by:
- Blocking or delaying planning for renewable energy projects.
- Removing climate-related roles in local authorities, weakening delivery capacity.
- Increasing planning costs for developers of green infrastructure.[2]
These tactics could challenge Government efforts to present a stable, cohesive, and forward-looking climate agenda, potentially slowing the implementation of key Government initiatives on the route to the clean power target and beyond.
Shifting the Political Ground
Reform UK is influencing the broader political narrative on energy, as recent YouGov reveals that at least half of voters believe both Labour and the Conservatives are actively working to win back favour – an impression reinforced by recent policy shifts.[3]
In March, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch announced the party’s departure from the Government’s Net Zero 2050 commitments – legislation originally introduced under Theresa May’s administration.[4] This signals the party’s shift toward Reform UK’s stance on energy and climate and marks a breakaway from the long-standing cross-party consensus on net zero.
Labour also appears to be recalibrating its approach in response to Reform’s rising support. According to The Times, the upcoming Spending Review is expected to prioritise energy investment in the North and the Midlands – key Reform UK pressure points.[5] This suggests that broader electoral dynamics are beginning to shape Government decision-making, down to the geographic allocation of funding. Although Labour remains committed to its green growth strategy, the Party may choose to soften its net zero messaging to retain support in swing constituencies, particularly in areas where there are strong concerns about the scale and environmental impact of new energy infrastructure.
Reform UK has also positioned net zero as a focal point to challenge broader policy issues such as industrial decline, aiming to appeal to regions where support for the Party remains limited, such as Scotland. Nigel Farage MP emphasised this message at a recent press conference in Aberdeen, the new home to Great British Energy’s headquarters.[6]
How the energy sector should respond
As the Party’s influence grows, Reform UK’s resistance to the UK’s net zero agenda poses an increasingly tangible challenge to the Government. While the Party lacks power in Westminster, its strategic positioning at the local level has the potential to stir public resistance and opposition to clean power initiatives, slowing the delivery of the UK Government’s energy agenda on the ground. This, in turn, risks undermining investor confidence and introducing uncertainty into an already complex policy environment.
For many in the clean energy space, Reform UK’s rise will require a rethink of engagement strategies. The Party’s platform resonates with concerns around cost, control, and infrastructure fairness. Companies must adapt – not by ignoring the challenge, but by making a stronger case for clean energy in economic and security terms. This means being clearer about the local benefits of green investment and pushing for national leadership to prevent fragmented, politicised decision-making on a local scale.
Brevia Energy is a dedicated division of Brevia Consulting, and has a longstanding reputation for its expertise and experience in the Energy Sector.
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Notes
[1] Reform UK, Our Contract with You, 2024, Link.
[2] The Guardian, Reform’s green energy assault in Lincolnshire ‘puts 12,000 jobs at risk’, 07 May 2025, Link.
[3] YouGov, Britons think labour is going after Reform UK voters – but are they interested?, 21 May 2025, Link.
[4] BBC News, Net zero by 2050 ‘impossible’ for UK, says Badenoch, 17 March 2025, Link.
[5] The Times, Rachel Reeves to spend big in red wall – what could it mean?, 29 May 2025, Link.
[6] The Telegraph, Slash handouts to Scotland, demands Farage, 02 June 2025, Link.
