Engineering news
The possibility of blackouts and higher energy bills is a source of worry for most people in the UK, a survey by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has revealed.
Of the 2,000 people quizzed for the IMechE poll during May, 64% said they were worried about blackouts happening. An overwhelming 93% said they were concerned about further rises in gas and electricity bills in the poll.
Some 51% came out in favour of government investment for renewables such as solar, wave and tidal power, with 33% saying they would consider personally investing in such projects.
Dr Tim Fox, head of energy and environment at the IMechE, said the survey showed that there is a “severe lack of public confidence in the government’s confused energy policy”.
Fox said: “There are clear concerns that there is an insufficient amount of investment in new energy infrastructure and that the UK faces a future of high energy prices for consumers and possible blackouts.
“Confidence in government energy policy has been damaged by its mixed messages on low-carbon energy policy and uncertainty over its support for a new nuclear build programme.
“Government must stop playing politics with our energy system and the environment and make clear exactly how it is going to ensure that the country’s future needs are affordably met. It is only with this clarity that energy companies will have the confidence to invest in the infrastructure needed to keep the nation warm, lit, moving and working.”
In response to the findings, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said: "The UK energy system is, by international standards, extremely resilient. The Energy Bill before Parliament will bring on the investment needed to replace our older coal and nuclear power stations.
“We are also confident that the reforms we’re introducing and the interest we’re seeing in the market will keep the lights on for the long term.”
DECC also blamed rising global gas prices for increases in household energy bills and said it was investing in renewables to “insulate the economy and bill payers” from increases. “By 2020 the average household bill will be £166 lower than it would be if we were doing nothing.”