Britain is investing
millions of pounds in a US government project to develop a new
generation of nuclear power stations, the Guardian has learned. The
move restarts UK government funding for research into new nuclear
reactor technology and gives its scientists access to international
efforts to develop a "generation IV" nuclear power station by 2030.
The investment is not
directly connected to the coming decision on whether to build new
nuclear power stations in Britain, which would use existing reactor
designs, but is significant because it shows the government has not
ruled out nuclear energy as a long term solution. Sir David King, the
government's chief scientific adviser, said earlier this year that any
revival of Britain's nuclear industry would be limited to "one
generation only."
Richard Clegg, head of
the Dalton Nuclear Institute at Manchester University and director of
science at BNFL, said: "It sends a very important message that the UK
government has a strategic interest in keeping the nuclear option open."
Britain
joined the US Department of Energy's generation IV forum in 2000,
alongside eight countries, including France, Brazil and Japan. It
supported the project through BNFL but did not commit state funds
directly.
Leading
experts, including Professor King, David Sainsbury, the science
minister, and Keith O'Nions, former chief scientist at the Ministry of
Defence, have since lobbied for Britain to play a bigger role, so as to
guarantee access to new reactor technology. Officials at the Department
of Trade and Industry have now set aside £10m over two years.
Dr
Clegg said: "In order to have a seat at the table and a voice in
selection of reactor designs, the UK has got to contribute something.
By participating in the programme, our scientists and engineers are
able to keep abreast of these reactors, how they work and what they are
about."
The
generation IV scheme has shortlisted six possible designs, which it
claims will be cheaper, cleaner and safer than current reactors. The
move comes as a report turns up the heat on the nuclear debate by
reiterating that new reactors are almost certainly needed if Britain is
to meet future energy demands without busting greenhouse gas targets.
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Complete article The Guardian
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