Nuclear plants set for go-ahead


Sizewell B, the UK's newest reactor, was built in the 1980s


Greenpeace view

A new generation of nuclear power stations is expected to get the formal go-ahead from the government later.

The cabinet backs the move in principle, and Business Secretary John Hutton is to make a statement to MPs.

Gordon Brown said on Wednesday the UK needed a more independent power supply, but critics say new stations will be expensive, dirty and dangerous.

Existing nuclear power stations produce about 20% of the UK's electricity, but most are due to close by 2023.


Mr Hutton will make a statement to the House of Commons on the future of nuclear power at 1130 GMT.


Existing UK nuclear stations


Ministers say a decision is necessary now, as many nuclear and coal-fired power stations are due to close within 20 years.

The government's former chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Nuclear is no longer expensive, given the price of oil and gas...

"Obviously [safety] is a question that has to be dealt with very, very carefully."

UK'S ENERGY PRESSURES
Supplies of cheap domestic gas are running low
Oil and gas prices have risen dramatically
Government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% of 1990 levels by 2010
Nuclear generates 20% of the UK's electricity
All but one of UK's nuclear power stations are set to close by 2023



UK nuclear energy options
Q&A: Nuclear power plans


He added that France had the "lowest carbon footprint in Europe" because of its use of nuclear power.

But Green Party principle speaker Caroline Lucas said: "What we are being offered by the government is far too little too late, at far too high a price.

"We should be putting energy efficiency at the heart of our strategy."

The government's 2006 Energy Review said the private sector should "initiate, fund, construct and operate new nuclear plants".
It said ministers should help by "addressing potential barriers", such as changing planning laws.

The government is also publishing an Energy Bill designed to reduce carbon emissions and secure the UK's power supplies.

Mr Brown said on Wednesday that ministers were also looking at how to use more renewable sources, such as wind and wave power.

'Flawed'

In 2006, the then prime minister Tony Blair said new nuclear stations should be built to reduce carbon emissions and Britain's reliance on oil and gas imports.

But that decision was put on hold after a High Court judged ruled the consultation part of the initial energy review was "seriously flawed", following a challenge by Greenpeace.

A second consultation finished in October but that has also been criticised. Greenpeace says its lawyers will be examining the government's statement.
The campaign group claims research shows that even 10 new reactors would cut the UK's carbon emissions by only about 4% some time after 2025.

HAVE YOUR SAY
If we are serious about reducing CO2 and we don't want to live in the dark, what other choice do we realistically have?


Nick Davy, UK



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Environmental campaigners are also concerned that a concentration on nuclear power will deflect attention and funding from development of renewable energy and "carbon capture" projects.

The Conservative Party backs nuclear power but says it should go ahead without subsidy.
The Liberal Democrats reject its use because of the risk of accidents and what they describe as "the long-term legacy of waste".

Party leader Nick Clegg said: "The government must be honest about how much it will cost to build and run new nuclear power stations and who is going to pick up the bill."

But Dougie Rooney of the Unite union, which represents workers in the nuclear industry, called for "a bold vision with clear deadlines to enable companies to plan for new nuclear reactors".

Although energy policy is not devolved, Scottish ministers have control of the planning system and also have to give consent under the Electricity Act to the construction of new power stations above a certain size.


Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has said there is "no chance" of more nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.