Business lobby group the CBI today launches a broadside against the
Government for procrastinating over whether to build a new wave of
nuclear power stations and urges it to make a decision by the end of
next year and push harder for energy liberalisation in Europe.
The criticisms of the Government come amid concerns over soaring energy
costs and gas supplies this winter as temperatures recently plunged
below freezing. Wholesale gas prices have more than doubled this month.
Companies that use a lot of energy in their production, such as
chemical plants, have also warned high fuel costs are beginning to hit
production.
"A decision on the future of nuclear power has been allowed to drift too long," said CBI director-general Sir Digby Jones.
The CBI said a third of UK electricity generating capacity needs to be
replaced by 2020 and, as nuclear power stations take 10 years to build,
a decision must be made soon.
A public debate on nuclear power should start immediately and the
Government should make its decision by the end of next year, according
to the CBI.
The lack of certainty over the Government's energy policy has held back
the necessary investment to build up the energy capacity, the business
lobby group warned.
"The opportunity must now be seized - Government must grasp the nettle
and make some tough decisions," said Sir Digby. "We shouldn't have to
wait until five to midnight before Government pays attention."
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Complete article The Telegraph
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