SSE Chief Executive, Alistair Phillips-Davies claims that there are enough 'credible alternative projects' in the UK to meet the nation's needs, should Hinkley Point not go ahead.
In an article which was written for Politics Home, the Chief Executive of SSE, Alistair Phillips-Davies discussed the potential impact of the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant not going ahead.
Last month, Apollo Energy reported that the Chief of EDF and the new Chancellor, Phillip Hammond were committed to developing the £18bn project. However, there are concerns regarding the scheme's viability, mainly concerning EDF's capacity to finance the deal. Read more here.
Many people believe the power plant is key to meeting the nation's clean energy needs and carbon emission targets, but Davies believes there are enough alternatives 'which could be built in time to deliver the balanced energy mix the country needs.'
The SSE chief does not claim to know anything in regards to whether Hinkley Point will go ahead but has played down its significance to the UK's energy future.
He added: 'Its (Hinkley Point C) significance to the UK's needs for secure, modern supplies of electricity has been repeatedly overplayed. Whilst it is undoubtedly true that we need new, cleaner technology to replace the older power stations coming off the system, there are enough credible alternatives out there which can be built in time to deliver the balanced energy mix we need, and a policy framework which can deliver the necessary investment.'
In the article, Davies also praised the government's implementation of policy framework to help encourage low carbon projects and penalising generation methods which create a large amount of CO ².
As an example of this in practice, Davies mentioned SSE's Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm in the Moray Firth which has secured a low-carbon contract, while two of the firm's gas-fired power plants will enter the next annual capacity auction.