Energy Institute welcomes greater policy certainty

The Energy Institute is the leading chartered professional membership body for the energy industry in the UK. Supporting over 21,000 individuals working in or studying energy and 200 energy companies worldwide, its Aberdeen branch is the biggest outside London.

Commenting on the new UK energy policy framework for more gas and nuclear power, Louise Kingham, Chief Executive of the Energy Institute (EI), said:

“These new policies do provide a framework and direction of travel from Government, which must be welcomed, with particular focus on the UK’s large scale energy generation infrastructure and how to achieve greater affordability and sustainability within it. 

“In the 2015 Energy Barometer report –  our annual survey of energy professionals –  they called for greater policy continuity to encourage long-term investment. 

“However, the Barometer also identified energy efficiency as having the greatest potential to reduce both costs for consumers and greenhouse gas emissions in the short-term.  This opportunity needs greater focus from Government, as does the need to maintain the supply of skilled workers into established and developing sectors. 

“Nuclear, CCS and unconventional oil and gas were cited in the Barometer as the areas of most acute shortage, but more importantly, all sectors bar North Sea oil and gas are expected to experience skills gaps by 2020.

“Developing a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system for the future requires a balanced, holistic approach across the whole energy supply and demand chain.  All aspects of the industry, including the skills of its people, need to be fully integrated into the policy process. 

“There’s much still to be done to develop the efficient, resilient energy system needed to support the economy and society and the EI will continue to work to bring all stakeholders together in developing that system.”