Gordon Brown has announced a massive investment in renewable energies to reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels.

The Prime Minister, speaking at the Government’s Low Carbon Economy Summit, said the Labour Government planned to invest £100 billion over the next 12 years to meet the “immense challenge”.

Wind, tidal and solar power will all play a part in the future, with investment in renewables bringing an improvement in energy security and the creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs and business opportunities.

Gordon Brown said: "And this is the biggest prize of all: the chance to seize the economic future - securing our prosperity as a nation by reaping the benefits of the global transition to a low carbon economy.

"For the fact is that, in the 21st century, the global low carbon economy will be a key driver of our economic prosperity."

Under the new proposals, the UK will extend and raise renewable energy to cover 30 to 35 per cent of electricity use.

“It is an immense challenge,” the PM said. “And all of us – government, business, civil society and individuals – have a part to play.”

Read the Prime Minister’s full speech by clicking here.