Institution responds to the UK falling out of the World Energy Council top 10 of the “Trilemma Index”

The Institution's Dr Colin Brown says the lack of clear energy policy is threatening the UK's energy security.

Dr Colin Brown, Director of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said in response to the UK falling out of the World Energy Council top 10 of the “Trilemma Index”:

“This report confirms that the UK Government’s lack of clear energy policy is threatening the country’s future energy security.
“The World Energy Council is right to highlight that the vote to leave the European Union, cuts to renewable energy subsidies and planned changes on foreign ownership have created investment uncertainty.
“The recent approval of the Hinkley Point C nuclear, while promising, is only part of the solution to the UK securing its low carbon energy requirements for the future. As outlined in our policy statement earlier on this year, the UK is facing an electricity supply gap of up to 55% by 2025, so the Government must ensure that a plan is put in place to meet future electricity demand as well as ensuring we meet out carbon targets. 
“Industry and Government must work together to understand the likely future capacity gap and identify generation needs, types and emerging technologies that can potentially bridge this gap. With the UK’s forthcoming exit from the EU, there is also a great need for Government to assure businesses that they will be able to access to the talent and skills needed to make these energy infrastructure projects a reality.”