The ECITB has responded to the Government’s National Infrastructure Strategy, unveiled today by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
ECITB Chief Executive Chris Claydon said: “The ECITB welcomes the National Infrastructure Strategy, in particular, the Government’s measures to finance the delivery of net-zero projects through the National Infrastructure Bank and recognition of the longer-term view required to encourage private sector investment.
“We have been calling on the Government to provide the levers necessary to accelerate decarbonisation and today’s announcement expands on the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan by setting out how net-zero infrastructure targets can be paid for and delivered.
“We know the engineering construction industry will be integral to energy transition, with the ECITB playing a key role in delivering critical skills training. As new green infrastructure is essential to the UK’s net-zero targets, the Government’s pledge to absorb some of the risk involved in the development of new technologies, such as CCUS and hydrogen production, will be welcome news for the trailblazing decarbonised industrial clusters.
“The ECITB is also pleased to see confirmed timescales for the publication of the long-awaited Energy White Paper, National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline and the key decarbonisation strategies. And we look forward to supporting delivery of Project Speed, where the ECITB’s expertise in project collaboration and project controls will be shared with Government.”