Nuclear Power Urged By Government
Posted on: February 8th, 2008 by Emma YoungA white paper published last May on nuclear power’s ability to meet targets on reducing emissions at home and abroad was given a push by John Hutton, secretary of state for business, enterprise and reform.
According to Hutton, nuclear is the solution to the problem of the UK securing access to clean and affordable energy in the future. However, he emphasized the UK should not come to rely on any one supplier. The proposal aims to make nuclear one of the country’s main providers as it hopes to treble electricity sourced from renewables by 2015.
Nuclear currently accounts for around 20% of the UK’s energy supplies. However, many plants are nearing the end of their life cycle, and it is thought that within 20 years all but a handful of nuclear and coal-fired power stations are due to close.
To help companies meet the challenges of climate change and energy demand, the government held a nuclear consultation last year and identified a number of steps to make way for companies to invest in power plants.
