Podcast - Charging Ahead Ep. 2: Advancing UK Energy Policy with Sarah Olney
In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond, for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation that moves effortlessly from offshore wind and nuclear power to seals swimming through the Thames. With a rare behind-the-scenes view from Westminster, Sarah brings clarity, candour, and optimism to some of the biggest questions facing the UK’s energy and environmental future.
We dive headfirst into politics, and nothing is off the table. From what first pulled Sarah into public service to the hard realities of energy costs hitting local communities, this is a fast-moving, deeply engaging discussion about where the UK stands today and where it must go next in the race toward net zero. Along the way, Sarah shares why she remains profoundly hopeful about the future, even in the face of enormous challenges.
Sarah unpacks the full energy mix, from renewables like wind and solar to non-renewables such as nuclear, and explains how they all fit into meeting England’s long-term energy needs. We get into the weeds on policy, affordability, and infrastructure, exploring how energy decisions made in Parliament ripple out to households and businesses across the country. She also outlines the work she and the Liberal Democrats are doing to push for smarter, fairer, and more ambitious energy policy at both the local and national level.
If you care about the future of energy, climate action, or how policy actually gets made, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Key takeaways
What the Liberal Democrats are doing on energy policy, locally and nationally
Where England stands today in the renewable energy transition and what comes next
Why now is a critical moment to invest in renewables and future-proof the UK’s energy system