UK: Energy crisis looms

FAMILIES, industry and hospitals could face regular blackouts in the Westcountry in the next decade because the Government has not woken up to a potential “energy crunch”, one of the region’s leading engineers has warned.

Barry Griffiths, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers South West, reckons the three-day working week and life by candlelight, not seen since the miners’ strike of the 1970s, could return unless there is deep investment in power generation across the UK.


He argues that old power stations are not being replaced fast enough and renewable energy production targets are falling behind, leaving a so-called “energy gap”.

Given the number of years it takes to build major power projects, the Devon-based engineer argues that decisions on major nuclear, renewable and fossil fuel projects need to be made now.

The impending crisis is symbolised by the Oldbury and Hinkley nuclear power stations on the Bristol Channel, the biggest single energy generators in the South West, both of which are set to close in the next decade.

Western Morning News