Channel NewsAsia 10 Jan 08;
The government was peddling a "lie" that nuclear power would help meet targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, calling for greater energy efficiency and cleaner use of fossil fuels.
LONDON: The British government approved on Thursday a new generation of nuclear power stations, infuriating environmentalists who are considering a legal challenge.
The new stations are expected to be built with private sector help to ensure the future security of supplies and a balanced energy "mix" amid mounting global concern over long term oil and gas supplies.
"The government believes that nuclear power stations should have a role to play in this country's future energy mix alongside other low carbon sources," Business Secretary John Hutton told parliament, in a widely-expected statement.
"Set against the challenges of climate change and security of supply, the evidence in support of new nuclear power stations is compelling. We should positively embrace the opportunity of delivering this important part of our energy policy."
The pro-nuclear lobby has been pressing ministers for an early decision as most of the 19 reactors at Britain's 10 existing nuclear power stations, which produce about 20 percent of the country's electricity, will close by 2023.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has endorsed his predecessor Tony Blair's support for kick-starting Britain's nuclear energy programme, against a backdrop of soaring oil prices, which last week hit 100 dollars a barrel.
Companies such as E.On, EDF, Centrica and RWE have all expressed an interest in involvement, with pledges that new plants could be up and running by 2018.
But opponents, with strong concerns over waste and safety, question whether atomic energy can help cut carbon emissions and want greater clarity on costs, plus assurances consumers will not have to pay for eventual decommissioning.
Greenpeace last year won a legal challenge after complaining the government's consultation process was flawed. The group said it was studying closely the re-ordered consultation and had not ruled out fresh action.
Executive director John Sauven said the government was peddling a "lie" that nuclear power would help meet targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, calling for greater energy efficiency and cleaner use of fossil fuels.
"Ministers' own research found that even 10 new reactors would only cut the UK's carbon emissions by about four percent some time after 2025, and the so-called energy gap will open before new nuclear power stations can be built," Sauven said.
Friends of the Earth, Britain's third party – the Liberal Democrats – and the Green Party agreed, calling for a bolder policy with more reliance on sustainable or renewable energy, like wave and wind power.
One of the Green Party's principal speakers, Caroline Lucas, said Brown was guilty of "the most staggering failure of political vision".
"The reason that Germany has 300 times as much solar power and 10 times as much wind power than the UK is simply because German politicians, led by the Greens, have had the political will to lead the way," she added.
According to government figures, only five percent of Britain's electricity came from renewable sources in 2006.
Lobby group the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) said a new nuclear build sent "the wrong message" internationally, given opposition to other countries building reactors because of fears they could create atomic weapons.
And Scotland's parliament, which controls planning but not energy policy, could provide another stumbling block as First Minister Alex Salmond has said there is "no chance" new plants would be built there.
But minister Hutton insisted the British government is taking the right decision.
"Giving the go ahead today that new nuclear power should play a role in providing the UK with clean, secure and affordable energy, is in our country's vital long term interest," he said.- AFP/so
UK starts new push for nuclear power
Reuters 10 Jan 08;
By Pete Harrison
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain gave the go-ahead to a new generation of nuclear power stations on Thursday, setting no limits on nuclear expansion and adding momentum to atomic energy's worldwide renaissance.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's government argues Britain must build new nuclear plants to help meet its climate change goals and to avoid overdependence on imported energy amid dwindling North Sea oil and gas supplies.
Nuclear power stations provide about 18 percent of Britain's electricity now, but many are nearing the end of their lives.
Energy Secretary John Hutton said the evidence in support of new nuclear stations was compelling.
"I therefore invite energy companies to bring forward plans to build and operate new nuclear power stations," he told parliament.
He said he would not set "some sort of artificial cap" on the proportion of Britain's electricity derived from nuclear power.
Environmental group Greenpeace, which succeeded in blocking an earlier pro-nuclear decision, said the public had been misled during recent consultations and its lawyers were already considering a fresh challenge.
"This is bad news for Britain's energy security and bad news for our efforts to beat climate change," Greenpeace Executive Director John Sauven said, adding that there were safety problems with the government's plans to store highly radioactive waste underground.
The opposition Liberal Democrats said the public consultation on nuclear power had been a "sham," but the Conservative Party lent its support.
"It is our duty to set aside political scrapping so as to make sure we do what's right for our country," said Conservative business spokesman Alan Duncan.
RENAISSANCE
The government called nuclear energy an unattractive option in 2003, but since then surging prices for oil and gas have helped make it more competitive and the focus on cutting carbon emissions to fight climate change has intensified.
Already, countries such as France and Finland are building new nuclear plants and, in the United States, companies have begun filing license applications, reinforcing the view atomic energy is part of the solution to the world's energy problems.
However, there is opposition to nuclear among some countries, including Germany which remains an anti-nuclear stronghold with no prospect of new reactors being built.
For critics, the toxic waste from nuclear power generation, which will remain for thousands of years, is one of the powerful reasons to say atomic energy is not worth the risk.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone called the government decision "the mistake of a generation."
Nuclear operators say they could have new plants running in Britain by 2017, but analysts point to tough global competition for components and experienced nuclear workers.
"The UK will need to work hard to remain an attractive option," said Tony Ward of Ernst & Young, adding that more than 30 reactors were under construction around the world, and over 90 were in the pipeline.
Hutton said he expected several new plants to be running by the mid-2020s and French nuclear engineering firm Areva said it aimed to built at least four reactors in the UK, possibly six.
The government green light was accompanied by publication of an Energy Bill to be fast-tracked through parliament with the Climate Change Bill and the Planning Bill.
Hutton said the government would give more support to wind, wave and tidal energy.
The trio of bills form the backbone of the government's new energy and climate policy for the next decades.
The British public is divided on nuclear, with 44 percent saying companies should have the option of investing in new nuclear power and 37 percent disagreeing.
The last of Britain's existing nuclear plants is scheduled to be closed by 2035. Analysts say renewable sources of energy would not be sufficient to replace them.
