Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE)’s Post

Today the Chancellor presented the Spring Budget outlining key financial decisions. Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) CEO, Kate Jennings has responded to the statement on behalf of members. ``Today’s budget could have served as a catalyst for market confidence, enhanced global competitiveness, and acted as a rallying call for climate change adaptation and mitigation. However, it was silent on the pivotal role for infrastructure investment in unlocking productivity and growth. In recent weeks, the government published its delayed infrastructure pipeline and announced the reallocation of funds following the HS2 announcement. ACE welcomes this clarity given the importance of pipeline visibility for providing the long-term stability crucial for our members amidst a period of significant change. Budget announcements regarding nuclear investment, AI skills, support for SMEs, and devolution deals are positive, as was publication of the National Networks National Policy Statement. ACE and our members stand ready to work in partnership with the Government to enable economic prosperity.`` Guto Davies Andrew Gladstone-Heighton #budget2024 #budget2024highlights #infrastructure #greeneconomy

Ahead of today’s #budget2024 announcements, Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, told PBC Today & BIM Today “it’s vital the chancellor introduces some measures that will stimulate the economy and give the industry renewed hope and optimism.” He is likely to be disappointed today, given the lack of mention of the National Infrastructure Commission recommendations in the chancellor’s statement.   Today’s statement tells us one thing, an Autumn election looks increasingly likely.   That's bad news for those in the sector looking for a clearer picture on the sector's medium term prospects, but does mean that there is at least some clarity in the immediate term about what conditions and demand are likely to be faced in the coming months.   Outside of specific projects mentioned in Barking and Canary Wharf and a new proposed nuclear power station in North Wales there was little aimed at housebuilding and infrastructure.    That said - the construction supply chain has more SMEs and sole traders than other sectors so the increase in the VAT threshold may have more impact here than in other parts of the economy.   All in all, it’s a case of keep on keeping on and hope the broader economic picture continues to turn. #constructionindustry #infrastructure

In a landmark trilateral meeting held in #Washington, DC, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. engaged with #US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, setting the stage for significant economic collaborations. The #Philippine government is poised to attract approximately US$100 billion in #investments over the next five to 10 years, as revealed by the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez. Ambassador Romualdez highlighted the diversification of investment opportunities across various sectors, notably energy and digital infrastructure. President Marcos is particularly enthusiastic about potential ventures in the energy sector, including discussions with companies such as Ultra Safe, a major player in supplying small modular nuclear power plants. The anticipated influx of investments signifies the Philippines’ strategic positioning to foster #economic growth and development. Romualdez emphasized the country’s commitment to opening up its economy, with a keen focus on energy and digital infrastructure projects, alongside physical infrastructure initiatives. #Philippines #EconomicCollaboration #InvestmentOpportunities #EnergySector #DigitalInfrastructure #InfrastructureDevelopment #US #Japan #NuclearPower #EconomicGrowth #SouthEastAsia Read more: https://lnkd.in/dW2XJpC2

Australia's New Ministries Anyone following my social media posts would recognise that am not "politically obliged"; I support issues, based upon logic and science. Not political agendas. For example, Australia has made great strides in advancing our future national outcomes, under a Labor government. Ed Cusic, in particular, requires recognition. Jim Chalmers also deserves recognition, in his Treasury and Defence roles. A challenge I face, in electricity generation and climate change matters, is absence of analysis regarding non-renewable energy supply. Australian cannot vote for governments, governments cannot enable agencies to analyses, agencies cannot analyse, what governments prevent them from analysing. When Australian's quality of life and the countrie's economic development is placed at threat, by absence of analysis (by government agencies) and debate (by citizens, political parties), is this OK? As a democratic country, we should recognise and applaud what is working; putting aside cheap political agendas. We should also recognise where mistakes, myopia, is threatening the nation's success. Allow AEMO, CSIRO et al to investigate Nuclear Fission and Fusion; look forward, not backward.

Your talk is of Nuclear (meaning only Fission) and fails to discuss fusion. Australia does not include the missing nuclear in its laws or the non-proliferation treaty, and it can develop and build it, but confusion reigns. https://lnkd.in/ge_aeX7M You are, as the nuclear fission industry is, ignorant of what's happening around you. Pull your uranium heads out, start adjusting your industry to fusion energy and start preparing to enter the commercially growing fusion energy industry. As it dawns on Earth like the sun. Great Headline Guardian on Nuclear fission. https://lnkd.in/g8sMZtpR Fission is moving towards obsolescence at an accelerated pace, as it is "out of step, out of time, out of place," and merely a temporary industry globally. https://lnkd.in/gbd_mZqk Commercial fusion electrical generation is a promising and innovative method of producing sustainable and clean energy. By 2028, Helion is expected to start producing electricity from its first fusion commercial power plant, which will provide electricity to Microsoft. The plant will produce at least 50 MWe after an initial ramp-up period. https://lnkd.in/gY9J3MQY Now see what news is happening in the Fusion industry in the world. https://lnkd.in/g9hMBD7a As fission trebles, fission fuel shortage is increasingly real, as linked below. https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr

Publication of this roadmap is a very positive step by UK government and one which will hopefully provide the necessary levels of clarity and confidence to underpin commitment to investment. Putting a plan in place doesn’t act to address all risks, but it provides an imperative to apply our diligence, urgency, and renowned ingenuity to help address the global challenges of decarbonisation and energy security. https://lnkd.in/euqfijU2

The antipodeans Sir Ernest Rutherford "father of nuclear physics" and Sir Mark Oliphant, "Opposer of the fission bomb" were the first experimental demonstrators of nuclear fusion. Why then are the Australian Government and the Federal Opposition not working to get it developed in Australia and bring it back home? New Zealand has, so why not Australia? Interesting articles about Nuclear and I know you haven't looked at Fusion. So let's look at the nuclear or Fission option versus Fusion 1. Fission (Nuclear) Not able to be licenced. https://lnkd.in/gbm2t5uU 2. Authorities have the power to grant licenses for fusion, which is not explicitly covered by the Nuclear Act or the ARPANSA definition. https://lnkd.in/gjKFABpy The above ARPANSA link defines nuclear as fission—no mention of Fusion. 3. A fission (Nuclear)reactor without fissile fuel is a building. 4. A fusion reactor without fissile fuel is a fusion reactor building 5, Fissile (Nuclear) fuel availability and the future cost is a concern, especially for economists and users Dittmar, M. (2011). The End of Cheap Uranium. ArXiv. /abs/1106.3617 Even the UN has identified this, so why does the Fission(Nuclear) industry persist in denying its death like fossil fuels https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr 6. Should the focus in Australia be on nuclear fission advancement or the promotion of fusion technology? 7, Fission (Nuclear) is only at present in 39 countries out of 189. 8. Is Dutton doing a Menzies and wanting a loophole to get fission (Nuclear) weapons to start with for the subs? 9. Australia still has no high-level radiation waste storage facility 10. Helion Fusion has committed to having its fusion version working in 2028 11. The FIA (Fusion Industry Association) has postulated that commercial power fusion will be available in the 2030s. 12. In its fusion conference report in 2023, the IAEA postulated that all International nuclear (Fission) Laws like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty do not consider fusion, so it seems it can be built in Australia now. 13. Fusion is also being developed "Small Modular Fusion Reactors" like Zap Energy and Avalanche Energy. 14. HB11 and the UNSW Tokamak project have positioned Australia prominently in the trillion-dollar international fusion industry. Instead of relying on fission with a limited lifetime, wouldn't it be preferable to support Australian renewables, batteries, and hydrogen energy generators and back them up with a fusion power plant? This would eliminate the traditional waste problem while still providing medical isotopes and advancements in medical technology like MRIs. Let's focus on creating a sustainable future for Australia instead of perpetuating pollution and leading to an energy crisis. https://lnkd.in/ekakyifA

The initiatives in the nuclear energy sector align with India's Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. India has targeted a threefold rise in nuclear-installed capacity by 2032. The announcement regarding research and development of newer technologies further underscores the need for collaboration on the International stage (based on the underlying principle of common but differentiated responsibility): precisely technology transfer and capacity building to ensure an efficient and timely transition towards lower carbon emissions. #IndiaBudget #Nuclear #Energy #ClimateChange #UNFCC #ParisAgreement #netzeero

The proposed 2025 federal budget for #energysector is out.

Curbing the double budgetary and ecological debt: the Barnier government's challenge In his general policy speech, Michel Barnier highlighted two urgent priorities for France: reducing public debt and managing ecological debt. The government is committed to reducing the budget deficit while driving an ambitious ecological transition. Among the actions envisaged are targeted tax reforms, industry decarbonization, and enhanced support for renewable energies. France positions itself as an active advocate of nuclear energy in this strategy, reaffirming its importance for the energy transition. https://buff.ly/3Y8ibbg