Over-reliance on China could jeopardize UK energy supply chains, threatening 90,000 jobs. A left-leaning thinktank warns that a year-long disruption to essential battery components for electric vehicles could halt production of 580,000 electric cars, endangering jobs and delaying clean energy goals. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) highlights the risks of over-reliance on Chinese supply chains, citing geopolitical upheaval post-Covid-19 and escalating global trade tensions. The report emphasizes the need for a "securonomic" policy, urging the UK government to invest in international partnerships and domestic production of batteries and green steel. China's dominance in manufacturing electronic technologies, including renewable energy components, is noted, despite efforts to diversify its economy. The IPPR calls for clarity on Chinese investment in the UK's clean energy sector and international stockpiles of solar, batteries, and critical minerals to mitigate supply chain risks.
