Nuclear sites get the all clear
NUCLEAR POWER expansion got the go-ahead from the government yesterday, after energy secretary Ed Miliband named 10 approved sites in England and Wales for future power stations.
Miliband said the list includes German utility RWE’s plans for Kirksanton, a site in Cumbria, which currently has no nuclear facilities. But he rejected EDF Energy’s proposal for a new plant at Dungeness in Kent.
Three other sites, at Kingsnorth in the south, and Owston Ferry and Druridge Bay, both in the northeast, could also be suitable for new nuclear plants after 2025, Miliband said.
And construction at one of the sites will be fast-tracked so that it is able to provide energy by 2018.
“The new sites are such an attractive proposition because they provide a low carbon energy solution and security of supply to a country which relies heavily on Europe,” David Simpson, energy partner at KPMG said.
“Miliband’s announcement is great news for Britain, but there are a lot of obstacles to overcome,” he added.
The minister said in his speech yesterday that nuclear energy was “proven and reliable,” despite opposition from green groups.
Meanwhile, the Tories hit out at the announcement, saying the expansion of nuclear had come ten years too late.
“Every one of the measures contained in this statement should have been brought… when they had the chance to secure the investments that are so desperately needed to keep the lights on, keep prices down and cut carbon emissions,” shadow energy secretary Greg Clark said.
All bar one of the UK’s existing nuclear plants are set to shut by 2023.