UK manufacturers are calling on the Government to reinstate the Annual Energy Statement and undertake a series of reforms “as part of its commitment to an industrial strategy”, following survey evidence showing a lack of confidence in the future security of supply.
The call was made by the EEF (
www.eef.org.uk) in its Upgrading power: Delivering a flexible electricity system report, which makes a number of recommendations for “priority action” in 2017.
According to the report, just one third of companies agree that the Government has a long-term strategy for security of supply, while almost half disagree.
Furthermore, just under 4% of companies believe that the UK’s energy infrastructure has improved in the last two years, while a quarter believe that it has worsened.
Claire Jakobsson, head of climate and environment policy at the EEF, said: “Manufacturers’ confidence in the Government’s management of security of supply is tepid at best.
“The last 18 months have seen a high degree of uncertainty in the energy market as a result of numerous policy changes, the Brexit vote and a new administration.
“Decisions on new nuclear and coal phase-out have started to ‘steady the ship’, but we need a meaningful annual statement that sets out a clear and stable direction of travel for energy policy, as part of an over-arching industrial strategy.
“While there has been significant attention paid to how we supply our electricity, there continues to be too little focus on how and when we use it. Taking action on this will save significant sums of money, both for the system as a whole and companies.
“The potential is there, but significant reform will be necessary if we are to realise it.”