U.K. Backs Nuclear Energy Option

Business Secretary John Hutton announced on Thursday the British government’s much delayed energy policy. Nuclear energy was backed by the government as a new part of the country’s energy mix.

Hutton informed the public that “new nuclear power should play a role in providing the U.K. with clean, secure and affordable energy,” and saying it is “in our country’s vital long-term interest.”

Several factors played into the decision to back nuclear as a new source of power.  The UK needs to find secure replacements for North Sea Gas, lower its carbon output, and replace aging production facilities.  Hutton commented that with the need to maintain progress on climate change and make sure that the source of power was secure, the evidence for new nuclear power stations was critical.

Nuclear power currently provides about 20 percent of the U.K.’s electricity.  However, all but one of its nuclear power stations will be closed for decommissioning by 2023.

The French company EDF has plans in place to build four nuclear plants in the U.K. by 2017. Chief executive Vincent De Rivaz commented that, “We have made it clear that once the right frameworks are in place, we will be in a position to move fast, move first and move safe.”

A second French company, Areva, said it was interested in building six nuclear power plants in Britain.  These six plants would be capable of generating 15 percent of the U.K.’s electricity at a cost of 13.4 billion pounds (US$26.8 billion). The German E.On and British Centrica have also stated they may consider building new nuclear plants in the U.K.

www.edfenergy.com