Ok, going up the chain:
a) Ok, main person being quoted is:
“Chiara Decaroli, a quantum scientist who is now the NQCC’s outreach and engagement officer, says that it’s important to provide a realistic view of the current and future capabilities of quantum computers. (Courtesy: NQCC)”
b) Who is NQCC?
“The NQCC represents a £93m investment over 5 years and will establish 4 key technology work streams.” https://www.nqcc.ac.uk
c) Who funds NQCC?
“Funded through the UK Research and Innovation, and sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)”
d) What is the UK Research and Innovation?
“Launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).”
e) What is BEIS?
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
BEIS replaced the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in July 2016. We employ around 3,000 staff who work in our offices in London, Aberdeen and around the UK.
So, it’s a grant funded 10-15 year estimate. A 10-15 year result promise in grant proposals is commonplace because they can track it, it’s not “forever”, and the government funding sources can decide within the 10-15 year time frame whether to cancel the program or continue it but meanwhile they will fulfill the grant to the computing center so long as they hit certain milestones.
This doesn’t mean it will succeed but if they want the full 10-15 year worth of funding, they will certainly try.