BSRIA reaction to Hinkley decision

On 19 September 2016, BSRIA announced it was pleased with the government’s decision to go ahead with the new £18bn nuclear power station at Hinkley. This will ensure there is more generation capacity to stop “the lights literally going out”. However, BSRIA expressed concern that there has not been a more committed investment in renewable technologies.

The new plant, which will meet seven per cent of Britain's energy needs and create more than 25,000 jobs, is being financed by the French (EDF) and the Chinese.

BSRIA Chief Executive Julia Evans said: “While this announcement is a big step in decarbonising the UK’s energy supply, we shouldn’t forget industry’s call for renewable energy. Especially as so many renewable energy policies have recently been cut with less than industry-friendly energy u-turns.

“These include government scrapping subsidies for onshore wind and commercial solar – the two cheapest forms of clean energy, slashing the energy efficiency budget, lowering taxes on polluting firms and introducing a tax on clean energy. Green Deal Finance Company funding ending is yet another example of this, along with energy-saving materials being singled out as no longer qualifying for reduced-rate VAT.

“Technologies such as new combined cycle gas turbines, renewables and electricity storage must be driven forward, alongside demand management initiatives.”

EDF said: "The decision of the British Government to approve the construction of Hinkley Point C marks the relaunch of nuclear in Europe." Government said it would now "impose a new legal framework for future foreign investment in Britain's critical infrastructure".