A heated debate over national security and corporate power has erupted in the UK, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urging Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to block Elon Musk's company, Tesla, from supplying electricity to British homes. The move comes as Tesla, a major player in electric cars and renewable energy, seeks a license from energy regulator Ofgem to provide power to homes and businesses as early as next year. Sir Ed's concerns are not about Tesla's technology but about its controversial and unpredictable founder, Elon Musk.
In a letter to Ed Miliband, Sir Ed Davey warned that allowing Tesla to become an electricity supplier would pose a grave risk to national security. He pointed to Mr. Musk's history of controversial political activity and what he describes as a pattern of reckless behavior. Sir Ed highlighted the billionaire’s vocal support for figures like Donald Trump and far-right activist Tommy Robinson, as well as his public statements on social media that have been seen as inflammatory.
A central part of Sir Ed's argument is that Musk has "repeatedly demonstrated his recklessness when in control of critical infrastructure." He cited reports that Mr. Musk ordered his Starlink satellite service to be shut down in Ukraine in September 2022, a move that allegedly disrupted a "pivotal counteroffensive to retake territory from Russia." This incident, Sir Ed argues, shows a clear willingness to use his corporate power to interfere in international conflicts, which could pose a direct threat to the UK's energy supply if a similar situation were to arise.
Furthermore, Sir Ed raised concerns about reports that Mr. Musk has been in regular contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin since 2022. While the Kremlin has denied these claims, the allegations add another layer of complexity to the debate, suggesting a potential for foreign influence over critical UK infrastructure.
Sir Ed's call to action is based on the government's legal powers to block a license if there is deemed to be a risk to national security. He is seeking a reassurance that the government will "put the national interest first" and not hand over control of a vital service like electricity to an individual with such a contentious track record.
Tesla has been involved in the UK energy market since 2020 when it was granted a license to be an electricity generator, but this new application would allow it to sell power directly to households and businesses. In the US, the company has been an electricity supplier in Texas for the past three years.
