The British government says it will grant hundreds of new licenses for oil and gas extraction in the North Sea as part of its efforts to become more energy independent.

The government on Monday announced it will award more than 100 licenses to energy firms this autumn. It also said hundreds more licenses will be granted in the future.

During a Monday visit to an energy facility in Scotland, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak noted that new investment in domestic energy sources would help reduce Britain's reliance on Russia and protect jobs.

He said the new licenses are compliant with the government's environment targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Sunak said, "Even when we have reached net zero in 2050, a quarter of our energy needs will come from oil and gas."

The prime minister stressed that securing domestic supply of energy would be much better than importing it for the country's economy, energy security and environment protection.

Sunak also announced additional assistance for a project to capture carbon dioxide and store it underground.

Opposition parties and environment organizations have criticized the government's plan as contradicting the country's fight against global warming. They are calling for more investment in clean energy projects.