Infrastructure leaders call time on nuclear construction

The National Infrastructure Commission is calling for a halt to nuclear construction plans and a ramping up of renewable energy schemes.

Its National Infrastructure Assessment report wants to see 50% of electricity generated from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2030 – up from 30% today.

The report said: “The National Infrastructure Assessment therefore cautions against a rush to agree government support for multiple new nuclear power stations, and proposes that after Hinkley Point C in Somerset the Government should agree support for only one more nuclear plant before 2025.

“This would give flexibility to move towards newer low-carbon energy sources in future, while at the same time maintaining the UK’s nuclear supply chain and skills base.”

It is also calling for a major upgrade in the energy efficiency of Britain’s buildings and £3.8bn to be invested between now and 2030 to make improvements to the country’s social housing stock.

Preparing for the growth in use of electric cars is also a key theme of the report.

It calls for widespread investment in car charging infrastructure to ensure “that charging an electric vehicle is as easy as refilling a conventional vehicle, or even easier.”

Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt said: “If we act now we have a golden opportunity to make our country greener, and protect the money in the pockets of consumers long into the future – something few of us expected to be able to do.

“Ministers can seize this chance by investing in renewables and other low-carbon technologies so they become the main players in our energy system – something that was considered a pipedream as little as a decade ago.

“But they need to act now to realise the full potential of what can be achieved.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/07/10/infrastructure-leaders-call-time-on-nuclear-construction/

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