Green light for new nuclear plants in UK
The British government today gave the go-ahead for a new generation of nuclear power stations, arguing that evidence for the move was “compelling”.
British Business Secretary John Hutton told MPs he was inviting energy companies to bring forward plans to build and operate new nuclear power plants.
With a third of the UK’s generating capacity coming offline within the next 20 years, and increasing reliance on imported energy, it was clear that investment was needed in a range of new infrastructure, the minister said.
He also published an Energy Bill signalling greater deployment of renewable energy and increased investment in carbon capture and storage as well as offshore gas infrastructure.
“The government believes it is in the public interest that new nuclear power stations should have a role to play in this country’s future energy mix alongside other low-carbon sources, that it would be in the public interest to allow energy companies the option of investing in new nuclear power stations and that the government should take active steps to open up the way to the construction of new nuclear power stations.
“It will be for energy companies to fund, develop and build new nuclear power stations in the UK, including meeting the full costs of decommissioning and their full share of waste management costs,” said Mr Hutton.
The long-awaited but expected announcement was criticised by environmental campaigners, who are threatening legal action over the government’s consultation about nuclear power.
