Government Announce Backing Of Hinkley Point C, Reaction From Institution Of Mechanical Engineering

Following the government’s approval of Hinkley Point C, Jenifer Baxter, Head of Energy and Environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, has released these statements :

“This announcement is welcome and great news for the nuclear sector, however, it is important to note that this is not the end but merely a small step at the start of securing our low carbon energy requirements for the future.

“As outlined in our policy statement earlier on this year, the UK is facing an electricity supply gap by 2025, so the Government must ensure that a plan is put in place to meet future carbon targets as well as developing skills and growth for the sector.

The development of Hinkley Point C provides an opportunity for the Government

 

“The development of Hinkley Point C provides an opportunity for the Government, in collaboration with the National Grid and groups like the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Energy Systems Catapult to fully understand the likely future capacity gap and identify generation needs, types and emerging technologies that can potentially bridge this gap.

“It is now more important than ever to focus on attracting business and foreign investment to our nation following the Brexit vote. The Government must work with industry to ensure we have modern, reliable and secure infrastructure, be it in energy, transport or communications.”

Tony Ward, Head of Power & Utilities at EY, comments: 

“Today’s announcement by Greg Clark is a hugely welcome validation of the work that previous Governments, developers and the UK’s wider supply chain and workforce have put in to ensure the robustness and deliverability of the proposals for new nuclear build.

“Big, tough decisions that benefit future generations and balance multiple needs are, and should be, hard to make – but that is precisely the role of Government.  It is absolutely right and proper that the Government has taken a final opportunity to validate the deal arrangements, security and governance structures.  After ten years of preparation and deliberation, it is now time to deliver.

“While technologies such as solar, wind and batteries will also be hugely important in delivering the UK’s future energy mix, new nuclear, starting with Hinkley Point, has a crucial role to play in displacing our reliance on fossil fuels. We are moving to a more balanced and diverse mix of zero-carbon power generation – a mix that will be capable of delivering reliable and robust baseload power.

“Hinkley Point is a transformational infrastructure investment that will bring long-term employment for a highly-skilled workforce, stimulus for the UK’s industrial supply chain and positive social and economic benefits for the South West region.”