Without new nuclear these energy crises will become a regular occurrence

The energy crisis is continuing with gas prices climbing and no sign of financial help from the government to offset the situation.

 

Part of the reason for the high prices is our reliance on imported gas and electricity, particularly when it is cold but there is little wind.

Sue Ferns, senior deputy general secretary of Prospect, said:

“As the government looks for short-term fixes to the energy price crisis it must not ignore the longer term or today’s problems will become a regular occurrence.

“As industry figures have pointed out, periods of cold weather with low wind represent a huge problem for the grid, currently solvable only by importing power or burning more fossil fuels, both of which are either high cost, high-carbon emissions, or both. To ensure security of supply and provide firm power to see us through low renewables output periods the government has to look to proven low carbon technologies and that means new nuclear.

“The time for simply talking about committing to new nuclear is over. The government must take concrete steps to get us moving on construction, first of which must be agreeing a funding mechanism and confirming a positive decision on Sizewell C. Without nuclear we face further energy crises and will fail to meet our net zero ambitions.”