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".
--BSRIA
Featured articles and news
This article examines the changing policy commitments and evolving definitions of the zero carbon home.
Researchers believe they may have created a 'game-changing' new form of concrete using graphene.
Grouting refers to the injection of materials into a soil or rock formation to change its physical characteristics.
Part of Designing Buildings Wiki, BREEAM Wiki will advance knowledge sharing for the BRE family of sustainability tools.
Iron, glass and wood underfoot
From the decorative to the utilitarian, and from the photographed to the forgotten.
New BRE book considers the progression from project-based knowledge creation to whole-life urban knowledge management.
This CIOB article explores the concept of value in building design and construction.
BREEAM and Measurabl announce integration to improve the financial performance of commercial real estate.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' release new images of soon-to-open 3WTC tower in New York.
A document can be called a bond or a guarantee. Does the name matter and what is the difference between them?
New briefing note is launched focusing on increasing knowledge of housing that promotes health and wellbeing.
Arbitration is a private, contractual form of dispute resolution used in the construction industry.