CBI urges nuclear build commitment

The CBI has asked the government to commit to building more nuclear plants following the UK planning commission’s decision to consider several major new energy projects.

The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) – the government-formed organisation for approving major new infrastructure projects – announced it is considering applications of five wind farms and two nuclear power stations.

Neil Bentley, director of business environment at the CBI, announced at the organisation’s Energy Conference in London that the government should be more committed to future nuclear projects.

He said: ‘It is encouraging that the IPC is hitting the ground running and is already considering planning applications for major energy projects.

‘Now we want to see the government delivering a strong commitment to building at least six new nuclear plants in next month’s national planning statements, and it should also agree to support four clean-coal demonstration plants.’

Bentley stressed that around £150bn of private-sector investment will be needed to transform the UK energy system into one that is low-carbon, secure and sustainable.