Commission Chair Sir John Armitt has written to government setting out the need to accelerate efforts to encourage private investment in the energy infrastructure pivotal to achieving net zero and energy security.

In a letter to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Sir John highlights the importance of confirming business models for new low carbon energy generation capacity – specifically, hydrogen generation and gas plants with carbon capture and storage technology – and the physical pipelines required to service these industries. Noting some recent progress on developing such business models, the Commission calls for this work to be sped up in order to meet government’s long term objectives to decarbonise the energy system.

The letter also highlights the Commission’s call in the second National Infrastructure Assessment for around £40 million per year in development expenditure, to help prepare operational plans for the networks needed to carry hydrogen and carbon.