2015: the year the lights will go out
1 min read
The UK will lose a third of its ageing coal-fired power stations in four years. Manufacturers at WM's Energy roundtable say they fear it could soon be lights out for the sector unless we see major reforms to energy policy
Short-sighted government energy policy risks bringing UK manufacturing to its knees by the end of the decade, according to the WM Energy roundtable.
Our expert panel warned of widespread power shortages after 2015 as a third of coal-fired power stations shut down, denting the UK's energy generating capacity.
Ministers were accused of failing to invest in adequate replacements because of fears over making an unpopular decision on nuclear energy by delegates from manufacturing sites and the energy industry.
Their inaction means energy bills will be at the mercy of international suppliers and the soaring prices revealed in the WM Energy Report (see last issue) will become a familiar sight, the panel claimed.
Attendees urged the government to declare its energy strategy to ease immediate concerns. The proposal should include a commitment to nuclear energy, according to the panel.
Long-term confidence will only be restored by making national energy policy apolitical, attendees warned. The five-year parliamentary cycle was counterproductive to successful energy infrastructure, the panel claimed.
For now, manufacturers must offset soaring costs through smarter operational practices. Experts urged more flexible energy buying deals and embedding energy saving into company culture as key tactics. Senior management support was vital to any energy-saving scheme's success, according to the panel. Performance objectives tied into energy savings should be used to get staff delivering savings, attendees said.
Download the full report here.
