President Donald Trump has sharply criticized the United Kingdom’s energy policy, calling for an end to offshore wind development and urging British leaders to expand oil and gas drilling in the North Sea to reduce energy costs.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump described wind turbines as “costly and unsightly” and recommended a shift toward fossil fuel extraction. “I strongly recommend to them, however, that in order to get their energy costs down, they stop with the costly and unsightly windmills, and incentivize modernized drilling in the North Sea, where large amounts of oil lay waiting to be taken,” the president wrote.
Trump pointed to Aberdeen as a strategic hub for offshore production and argued that the UK’s tax regime discourages investment in oil and gas. “A century of drilling left, with Aberdeen as the hub. The old-fashioned tax system disincentivizes drilling, rather than the opposite. U.K.’s energy costs would go WAY DOWN, and fast!” he added.
The president’s remarks follow recent developments in the UK energy sector. U.S.-based Apache Corporation announced it would cease oil and gas operations in the North Sea, citing unworkable windfall taxes. Trump referenced the move in a January post, calling Britain’s approach “a very big mistake” and reiterating his call to “open up the North Sea” and “get rid of windmills.”
The UK’s clean energy strategy has faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks. SSE, one of the country’s leading energy companies, announced it would reduce planned investment in renewables by approximately $2 billion (£1.5 billion) through 2027, citing a shifting macroeconomic environment. That announcement came shortly after Danish firm Ørsted, the world’s largest offshore wind developer, said it would abandon its Hornsea 4 project in its current form due to economic and operational concerns.
Despite these industry setbacks, the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century, with offshore wind playing a central role. Trump’s comments place him at odds with that policy direction and reflect his administration’s broader push to prioritize traditional energy sources over renewables.
