John Pettigrew, Group Chief Executive Officer at National Grid, has highlighted the urgent need to transform the UK’s energy system, emphasising the benefits such as job creation, economic growth, increased energy security and lower long term energy bills.
The boss of National Grid said: “The need to transform our energy system has never been more pressing. And, if we do so, the rewards for communities across the country will be clear: new jobs, economic growth, increased energy security and lower energy bills for households and businesses over the long term.”
Mr Pettigrew supported the focus on energy and planning in the King’s Speech, noting the importance of streamlining planning approvals to progress the energy transition.
He said: “Planning approvals have been a consistent barrier to progressing the energy transition at pace. It is right and important that local communities are able to share their views on infrastructure, and it’s our firm belief that they should see enduring benefits for hosting it.
“But energy infrastructure must be built: it is the only way the UK can move renewable energy from where it will increasingly be generated out at sea, to where it is needed right across the country.”
