President criticizes windmills and urges opening North Sea oil, says U.K. could be 'very, very wealthy'

A question about comments on Ireland and the U.K. prompted the President to give opinions on energy policy in Britain: he said he hoped 'no windmills' and described an earlier exchange labeling windmills 'heinous.' He argued Scotland and the U.K. could become 'very, very wealthy' if they 'open up the North Sea' to drilling and said companies often call him about accessing the North Sea.

The remarks blended personal opinion and economic argument but did not cite policy levers, legal authorities, or specific energy agreements. He also said he had 'had so much support' for his comments about a united Ireland and declined to expand on Scotland at that moment. The exchange was conversational and did not include formal diplomatic or commercial announcements.