UK Prime Minister 'Convinced' Nuclear Renaissance Is Needed
Written by NucNet
Monday, 14 July 2008
14 Jul (NucNet): British prime minister Gordon Brown is "convinced"
that a renaissance of nuclear power is necessary if continued oil
dependence and unchecked climate change are to be avoided.
In a speech yesterday at the Union for the Mediterranean Summit in Paris he said the UK is "moving quickly" to replace its ageing fleet of nuclear power plants. Mr Brown added: "And all around the world I see renewed interest in this technology, as countries contemplate the alternative - continued oil dependence and unchecked climate change."
The UK will work to make possible the best arrangements for plant security, safety and radioactive waste disposal, said Mr Brown. Last week the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority announced a preferred bidder for the cleanup contract at Sellafield in north-west England. Mr Brown said: "We are also collaborating with France in this field, and stand ready to do so with others."
Mr Brown pointed out that in Europe more than a third of energy comes from oil, and a further 40 percent from other fossil fuels - gas and coal. "Only around 20 percent of our energy comes from low carbon sources - renewables and nuclear. None as yet comes from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage."
In January 2008 the British government gave the go-ahead for the possible construction of a new generation of nuclear power plants.
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
UK Gives Green Light To New Nuclear Plants (News No. 3, 10 January 2008)
NDA Announces Preferred Bidder For Sellafield Contract (News No. 56, 11 July 2008)
