Britain drew criticism from environmentalists Wednesday after giving Shell permission to develop the Jackdaw gas field off the Scottish coast in a bid to ramp up energy security.

"We're turbocharging renewables and nuclear, but we are also realistic about our energy needs now. Let's source more of the gas we need from British waters to protect energy security," Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng tweeted after the field, licensed in 1970. received belated regulatory approval.

Britain, while declaring itself better placed than most of its European neighbours in terms of domestic supplies amid fears the war in Ukraine will lead to severe shortages, is looking to boost supply options.

Shell, welcoming a decision it said would bring thousands of jobs and aid the UK's transition towards net zero emissions, said the field can produce 6.5 percent of Britain's total gas output at a critical time as Western nations look to wean themselves off their reliance on Russia.

The Anglo-Dutch giant did not immediately respond to an AFP request for details.

But Greenpeace campaigner Ami McCarthy, deplored the move as bad for the environment and ineffective on catering for immediate supply needs.

"Approving Jackdaw is a desperate and destructive decision... and proves there's no long-term plan," said McCarthy.

In a statement, Greenpeace said it could take legal action, judging approval of the permit could be unlawful.

"They could immediately shave billions off bills, get a grip on UK energy demand, create thousands of jobs, boost our economy, tackle the climate crisis and avoid future crises -- if they just upgrade homes to be warmer and greener, and invest in clean and cheap renewable power," said McCarthy.

"But instead, once again, they're handing out lucrative permits to the likes of Shell for a project that won't start producing gas for years, that won't lower our bills, but will create massive emissions causing deadly flooding and wildfires, and mass migration from people fleeing the climate crisis."

Britain is targeting increasing the role of gas in its energy mix as it struggles to bolster that of nuclear with existing infrastructure of the latter ageing and new projects lagging behind schedule.

Having had a previous demand to operate the field rejected last year ahead of the COP 26 environmental summit which Britain hosted in Glasgow, Shell tried again last March, this time successfully.

Work is due to start in the third quarter of this year with first supplies expected to come on stream in mid-2024.

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