Atkins welcomes creation of Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Commenting on the creation of a dedicated government department focused on energy security and net zero, Christophe Junillon, Managing Director for Nuclear & Power, EMEA, SNC-Lavalin, said:

“Today’s decision to create a new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero should help to give greater focus on some of the most important elements of the UK’s future economic growth and success.

“Energy security and net zero are intrinsically linked: a reliable, resilient energy system will power our future economy. As we electrify transportation, industry and heating, electricity demand will increase significantly: the UK must double the size of its energy system and build new generation at five times the current rate to meet Government targets to decarbonise power by 2035.* The new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero should enable the focus needed to plan and deliver clean, affordable and secure energy.

“The most urgent priorities to ensure our future energy security and deliver net zero must be to: accelerate the development of proven nuclear and offshore wind; address the need for significant increases in energy storage; and build new transmission and distribution infrastructure to connect and provide energy to where the demand is greatest.

“In parallel the UK will need to progress new technology such as nuclear SMR and carbon capture and storage; and swiftly determine the role hydrogen could play in our energy system.

“The scale and size of the UK’s energy transition will create opportunities for economic growth across the country: a department focused on prioritising its delivery and accelerating the pace of new generation is a positive step forward.”

Notes to editors

About Atkins

Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, employing over 19,000 people across the UK, North America, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe. We build long-term trusted partnerships to create a world where lives are enriched through the implementation of our ideas. 

About SNC-Lavalin

Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is a fully integrated professional services and project management company with offices around the world dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, technology and data to design, deliver and operate the most complex projects. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. – and delivered to clients in key strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear, Operations & Maintenance and Capital. News and information are available at snclavalin.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.