Where’s the strategy to keep our lights on?

AS an example of perverse and muddleheaded thinking it would be hard to beat.

Just as Vladimir Putin demonstrates how easily he can disrupt Europe’s energy supplies for base political ends, the UK spurns an opportunity to produce more of its own.

An application by Shell to exploit a new pocket of natural gas close to existing fields east of Aberdeen has been blocked by regulators on environmental grounds.

So instead of piping gas into British homes from under the North Sea, they would prefer to pay through the nose for imports from Russia, one of the world’s biggest polluters.

Meanwhile, we discover that the taxpayersubsidised Drax biomass plant in Yorkshire – supposedly a green alternative to coal – is Britain’s biggest single emitter of CO2.

Which all begs the question: Does this country have any semblance of a joined-up energy policy? Or have proportionality and common sense been lost in the headlong gallop towards zero-carbon?

Shell’s new Jackdaw gas field is not huge, but allied to other available sources it could help bridge the energy gap as we wind down fossil fuel in favour of renewables.

Domestic production also keeps investment, jobs and expertise here – and ensures supply in the tough winter periods.

Nuclear, too, is an indispensable part of any future power equation – the new Rolls-Royce mini reactors being a highly promising option.

Yet for too long ministers have dragged their feet over commissioning new plants, fearing the wrath of the shrill eco-lobby.

At the Cop26 conference next month, Boris Johnson will present himself (with some justification) as a global standard bearer in the fight against climate change.

The Mail admires his grand ambition to make Britain carbon-neutral by 2050 and wishes the project every success. But he also needs a coherent strategy for keeping the lights and heating on in the intervening 29 years – preferably without being in thrall to capricious tyrants such as Mr Putin.

The transition to zero-carbon should be a carefully planned and measured process. Not a witless Gadarene rush.