UK government plans energy sector overhaul

Future plans to completely overhaul the UK’s energy sector have been officially announced by the government. The proposals include 10 new potential nuclear sites, a framework for developing clean coal technology and guidelines on new energy infrastructures.

One-third of the country’s required power capacity by 2025 needs to be built over the next 15 years. To achieve the government’s target, six draft National Policy Statements (NPS) have been issued to provide the new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) a guideline on energy project planning.

To be effective in March 2010, the NPS will remove the unnecessary planning delays that large energy proposals are currently facing in the UK. Similarly, decisions for over 50MW energy projects will be reduced from two years to one year. In addition, the new system will make it easier for individuals and local communities to voice out their opinions.

In line with the UK government’s overhaul plan, 10 out of 11 locations recommended by the energy sector were already approved to become sites for new nuclear power plants. The locations chosen were Bradwell, Braystones, Hartlepool, Heysham, Hinkley Point, Kirksanton, Oldbury, Sellafield, Sizewell and Wylfa. Earlier nominated site, Dungeness, had not been considered due to coastal erosion and flood concerns.

Alongside the NPS, all new coal stations are now obliged to demonstrate the full Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) chain before a planning permission could be given. The UK government expects new coal plants to retrofit CSS to their full capacity by 2025, with the CCS incentive able to grant monetary support for their retrofit.