More calls for investment in nuclear energy

In the United Kingdom, the government has sent pleas to the largest energy firms in the world to participate in the development of the next generation of nuclear energy generating plants in the country.

While delivering a speech at a conference attended by senior officials and potential investors in the nuclear sector from all over the world, John Hutton the Business Secretary John Hutton admitted that he was eager to have the next generation of nuclear energy generating plants developed as fast as possible. These calls come after the Nuclear White paper which was published earlier in the year. It also coincides with the intended sale of British Energy, which is the largest nuclear energy producer in Britain. British Energy has thirty five per cent of its sharehoolding in the hands of the government. The energy giant has admitted that a number of parties have shown interest in the firm but only EDF of France had so far tabled a bid.

Firms in the energy sector will soon receive invitations to become members of the new Nuclear Development Forum which will be a partnership between the government and the nuclear energy sector. The aim of the forum will be to steer the development of the next generation of nuclear power stations. The first meeting of the new Nuclear Development Forum is expected to be held before summer ends.

During the conference the Business Secretary also made the announcement that a new office of Nuclear Development had been created. The new office will be under the Department of Business and will be charged with overseeing the nuclear energy strategy on behalf of the government.

www.british-energy.com