A renewed nuclear program and Energy Bill are part of new government measures to help secure the UK’s energy independence
Business and energy secretary Grant Schapps has committed to measures to ensure the UK’s energy independence, such as backing further nuclear development and taking the Energy Bill forward.
The government’s £700m stake in Sizewell C is positioned at the heart of the new blueprint to the UK’s energy independence, as plans to develop the new plant have been approved.
This is expected to create 10,000 highly skilled jobs and provide reliable, low-carbon, power to the equivalent of 6m homes for over 50 years. This is the first state backing of a nuclear project in over 30 years.
The government intends to use increased nuclear provision to secure the UK’s energy independence
The approval comes alongside the government’s continued commitment to developing a pipeline of new nuclear projects, beyond Sizewell C.
To support this, a new organisational body known as Great British Nuclear will be set up to develop a resilient pipeline of new nuclear builds, with further announcements expected early in the new year.
Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF Energy said:
“This is a big vote of confidence in Sizewell C and we are very excited the government is partnering with us to prepare the project for further investment. Sizewell C will build on the achievements of Hinkley Point C and replicating its design will provide more certainty over schedule and costs. It will deliver another big boost to jobs and skills in the nuclear industry and provide huge new opportunities for communities in Suffolk. New nuclear will protect Britain from volatile global gas markets and help keep bills under control for the country’s homes and businesses.
“Greater energy efficiency will strengthen Britain’s energy independence and reduce household bills permanently, and we welcome the government’s action. We are ready to step up our installation rates to help more households benefit from lower bills.”
The Energy Bill will strengthen energy efficiency for future generations
Schapps also committed to progressing the Energy Bill, which intends to put in place powers to shield Britain from global forces and secure energy for future generations.
It comes as the UK sets a new ambition to reduce energy demand by 15% by 2030.
This is backed by a new £1bn ECO+ insulation scheme, and a major expansion to the government’s public awareness campaign – all of which will help households cut back on energy waste and deliver warmer homes and buildings and cheaper energy bills.
Business and energy secretary Grant Shapps said on the announcement:
“Today’s historic deal giving government backing to Sizewell C’s development is crucial to this, moving us towards greater energy independence and away from the risks that a reliance on volatile global energy markets for our supply comes with.
“This is at the heart of a package of measures that – together with the new Great British Nuclear and powers of the Energy Security Bill – will ensure secure supply for now, and for generations to come.”
Industry voices praised the sustainable energy transitions goals
John Pettigrew, chief executive of National Grid, said:
“We welcome the continuing progress of the Energy Bill. National Grid plays a vital role at the heart of the energy transition and we look forward to continuing to work together with the government to realise its bold net zero goals including delivering 50 GW of offshore wind power and establishing an independent system operator and planner. It is clear that progressing the energy transition at pace is the surest route to more affordable bills, greater energy resilience and a more energy-independent UK.”
Gillian Charlesworth, CEO of the Building Research Establishment (BRE), commented:
“Today’s announcement from Grant Shapps, the business and energy secretary, committing to the government’s Energy Bill is a major step forward in ensuring Britain’s energy security. Moving away from fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy – which forms a central element of the Bill – will be crucial to decarbonising our energy supply, particularly across our homes and buildings.
“At present, heating our buildings makes up nearly a quarter (23%) of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. As such, decarbonising heat and improving the efficiency of the country’s building stock will be crucial to achieving net zero by 2050 and establishing a self-sufficient energy system for the benefit of households, businesses, and the wider economy.
Increased sustainaable skillsets and technology are another part of securing the UK’s energy independence
Gillian continued: “It is encouraging that the Energy Bill promises to set out a clear plan to drive private investment in the wider renewable energy market, and it’s crucial that this includes the heat pump industry. Heat pumps are likely to be the dominant technology used to transition households to clean energy over the short and long-term, but the pace of installation here is currently lagging behind comparable European countries.
“To tackle this head-on, we welcome the government’s plan to implement a Low Carbon Heat Scheme which would stimulate heat pump sales and help the UK reach its ambition of installing 600,000 per year by 2028.
“Another element in driving the green transition in the built environment will be creating the jobs and up-skilling the workers needed to deliver this. Hundreds of thousands of workers will be needed at all skill levels and across the UK to support households with the shift away from fossil fuel heating.
“Clear, long-term measures that improve the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings and shift households, communities, and industry to clean power is what the UK sorely needs to achieve net zero – and the government’s recommitment to the Energy Bill will keep up momentum in this area.”
