Uniper restructuring illustrates failure of central policy

Energy and engineering company Uniper has announced it is restructuring its engineering business with the potential for job losses in the UK and a loss of vital skills and training capability.

It is thought that, among other things, Uniper’s training academy and other skill programmes will close, as well as its power station at Connah’s Quay.

Sue Ferns, senior deputy general secretary of Prospect, responded to the news :

“Uniper’s withdrawal from providing engineering support to the generation industry is a huge blow both to those workers who are likely to lose their jobs and to our goal of a just transition to a low carbon economy.

“This is a prime example of central policy failure and a lack of joined up thinking. Engineering support services is an area where skills can easily be transferred between technologies and could provide a route from high to low carbon jobs if it was managed properly.

“The premature closure of Connah’s Quay is also a huge missed opportunity to convert gas to hydrogen generation which should surely be forming part of our net zero plan.

“Government has failed to incentivise the retention of key skills or the move to a just transition and it seems to have no coherent plan for the move to net zero.

“As a matter of urgency the government must convene a working group of stakeholders, including unions and local agencies, to plan for and deliver a just transition. It must also intervene on Connah’s Quay so that it can continue to play its part in the energy transition.”