NIC: UK’s key infrastructure projects can be delivered more rapidly while also improving sustainability

The UK’s key infrastructure projects can be delivered more rapidly while improving sustainability, according to the National Infrastructure Commission.

Edie reported the consenting process for major British infrastructure, like energy generation schemes and new water infrastructure, could be slashed by two-thirds.

To achieve this, we need more robust governance and streamlining reporting on social and environmental impacts.

This is the conclusion of the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) review of the current policy framework around the delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPS).

The NIC published the results of the review on 18 April in a new report.

Ministers commissioned the review in February.

It followed concerns that the time it took for projects to go through the NSIP process increased by 65% between 2012 and 2021.

These delays could undermine the UK’s ambitions to more rapidly roll out offshore wind, nuclear and hydrogen projects.

Plus, changes to the process have the potential to improve electricity, water and transport infrastructure in response to megatrends relating to climate change, urbanisation and population growth.

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