Britain needs jobs now: investing in energy can give us those jobs
Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF Energy
| EDF
A green recovery would not only good for the environment, but good for the economy. It’s now time to deliver it.
As we face a new set of guidelines to manage the spread of coronavirus, it’s clear that no one has a crystal ball to see how this pandemic will develop, and for how long we will face restrictions on our daily lives.
While we are undoubtedly focussed on public health, it’s also important to look at how we build our way back to economic strength and reverse UK unemployment which has risen to its highest level for two years.
I believe the way to recovery is through investment in major infrastructure projects, specifically low carbon infrastructure.
Why?
Because these projects will create the jobs and skills we need now and into the future, while also ensuring we have clean energy to power the lives of generations to come.
Today, we published our plan for a green recovery and how we are helping Britain achieve Net Zero. In it we detail our aim to enable £50 billion of investment in low carbon infrastructure to help put businesses across the country back on their feet.
The development of Hinkley Point C has shown the positive affect new nuclear can have on the economy. The project is the Green Recovery in action – creating 25,000 jobs for people across Britain, with the capacity to power six million homes with always-on, low carbon electricity once it’s operational by 2025.
We want to replicate this economic boost at Sizewell C. Replicating the design of Hinkley Point C at Sizewell is the most cost-effective way to ensure we have the low carbon electricity Britain needs, while benefiting an experienced workforce and UK supply chain that will be able to transfer its skills and supplies to the new Sizewell site.
I believe the way to recovery is through investment in major infrastructure projects, specifically low carbon infrastructure.
The project is ready to go, and exactly the type of construction we need to get the economy on track.
Recent unemployment figures show young people have been particularly affected in the recent downturn. Through Sizewell, we plan to create 1,500 apprenticeships – 500 more than originally planned – which will provide valuable opportunities.
And it’s not only new nuclear.
We see the route to Net Zero as electricity generation through a combination of wind, nuclear and solar.
We plan to massively grow our renewables business to support the increased demand for electricity our journey to Net Zero will require as we continue to electrify our transport, heating, and industrial activity.
Again, the creation of these new wind and solar farms will create jobs and opportunities throughout the UK supply chain.
As well as generating low carbon energy to help reach Net Zero, we also want to ensure a Green Recovery is affordable for the millions of customers we supply.
That’s why we provide affordable, zero carbon energy tariffs for homes and businesses as standard, and we will be working with all of our customers to help them significantly reduce their carbon footprint by 2035 – be that through energy efficiency measures, switching to an electric vehicle, or installing low carbon heating options such as heat pumps.
A green recovery would not only good for the environment, but good for the economy. It’s now time to deliver it.
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