Industry group launches commission to speed up energy projects

A new commission aims to speed up the development of new nuclear power stations and wind-energy farms to address the UK’s increasingly stressed energy requirements.

The Confederation of British Industries (CBI) has launched a new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) to oversee decisions on major infrastructure planning applications.

“For too long infrastructure schemes of major national importance have ended up getting bogged down in planning delays,” said John Cridland, deputy director-general of the CBI. “The launch of the Infrastructure Planning Commission should streamline the planning process and encourage investment in the country’s vital infrastructure.

Cridland continued, “We urgently need new nuclear power stations and wind farms to bolster our energy security and cut carbon emissions. The new commission should help ensure that decisions in the national interest will be made swiftly by independent experts.

He added that some firms frustrated by Britain’s planning requirements have already taken their investments overseas.

“(S)o the top priority for the government must be to publish the National Policy Statements on infrastructure development sooner rather than later,” Cridland said. “That will allow firms to invest with confidence, and get on with building the new transport and energy infrastructure needed to shift to a low-carbon economy.”