Several UK newspapers lead their frontpages with the news that prime minister Boris Johnson is to announce today a £160m boost for offshore wind power. In its frontpage story, the Times reports that Johnson is to pledge that offshore wind will produce enough electricity to “power every home” in a decade. According to the Times, at the Conservative Party conference today, he is expected to say: “You heard me right. Your kettle, your washing machine, your cooker, your heating, your plug-in electric vehicle — the whole lot of them will get their juice cleanly and without guilt from the breezes that blow around these islands.” The Daily Mail, which also carries the news on its frontpage, reports that the investment in offshore wind is to “support” up to 60,000 jobs. On page 2 of the newspaper, an analysis by political correspondent Larisa Brown says: “As the windiest country in Europe, Britain is perfectly placed to generate renewable electricity.” BBC News reports that the boost to wind power will see the money invested into manufacturing in Teesside and Humber in northern England, as well as sites in Scotland and Wales, directly creating 2,000 jobs. The Guardian, which trails the news on its frontpage, says the wind power pledge is the first step in a 10-point “Build Back Greener” plan, according to Number 10. The rest of the plan is to be set out later in the year and includes new targets and investment into industries, innovation and infrastructure, the Guardian says. The “Build Back Greener” plan was first reported on by the Financial Times yesterday. (The newspaper carries an updated version of the story on its frontpage today.) The FT reports that Johnson is to pledge to raise offshore wind power capacity by 2030 from 30GW to 40GW. However, this is a repeat of a pre-election pledge from November 2019, the FT says (see Carbon Brief’s 2019 election tracker). The Daily Telegraph also carries the story on its front page. The story is also covered by Press Association, the i newspaper and the Evening Standard, among others. 

Guest post from The Times