The UK can build transmission lines in half the time it now takes as it pushes to bring new wind and nuclear power online and speed up the decarbonisation of its power supply, the government’s energy adviser says in a report published on Friday (4 August).

The UK’s plans to build 50 GW of wind power and 24 GW of new nuclear will be “a major step towards decarbonising the economy and providing customers with clean, secure, affordable electricity”.

But the report warns that “magnificent achievement will be wasted if we cannot get the power to homes and businesses”.

Electricity transmission line construction can be cut to seven years from 14 years, says the report from Electricity Networks Commissioner Nick Winser. The report highlights the “inordinate length of time” it takes to build critical infrastructure needed to address mounting pressure on the grid.