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Blair 'to give go-ahead for new generation of nuclear stations'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Nov. 21, IRNA
UK-Nuclear Energy
Prime Minister Tony Blair was reported Monday to be ready to give the go-ahead to a new generation of nuclear power stations, despite his government concluding less than two years ago that nuclear is an unattractive option.

According to the Times newspaper, the British premier is expected to set up a review within the next two weeks to push through controversial plans for fast-track planning permission on existing nuclear sites.

It was understood that he believed that it is the only way of securing Britain's future energy supply while meeting targets to cut carbon emissions, the paper said.

The terms of reference for the review are expected to be outlined by the prime minister in a speech to the Confederation of British Industry next week.

The move comes after business lobby group have accused the government of leaving a decision until to the last minute with all but one of Britain's ageing nuclear plants due to be closed by 2023.

A formal decision is expected to be made by the end of next year to allow the construction of the first of the new plants to be underway within a decade.

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Environment secretary Margaret Beckett softened her opposition against new nuclear energy, insisting that she "always accepted that we can't afford to close the door on nuclear."
In a separate interview, the government's chief scientific adviser Sir David King called for a decision to be made very quickly.

"I think the important thing here is, give the green light to the private sector utilities, to give them nuclear as an option," King told BBC1's Sunday AM program.

Nuclear power meets around a quarter of Britain's energy needs but this will fall to only 4 per cent, if a new generation of new stations is not built.

The country's dependence on nuclear sources has become more urgent with North Sea oil and gas supplies dwindling and the failure of renewables to make up the deficit.

The case to overcome safety fears and convince the public of such a need is expected to be highlighted if Britain runs short of gas supplies to meet demand should this winter prove to be particularly cold as forecast.

HC/2322/1412