New Nukes
A NEW generation of nuclear power stations would be more dangerous and carry greater financial risks than their predecessors in Britain, according to a report published today. Spent fuel produced by the Government’s preferred kind of pressurised water reactors would have higher levels of radiation and could not be buried in a single deep underground repository, says the report’s author Hugh Richards, who lives near Llandrindod Wells. Mr Richards is a member of the Nuclear Consultation Working Group, which is today posting Too Hot to Handle on its website.
Western Mail 11th April 2008 more >>
British Energy
Buying British Energy would satisfy two long-held ambitions of RWE – find more growth outside Germany and become less reliant on coal for generating electricity. But investors face some nervous moments in the medium term if the German utility manages to pull off the acquisition on its own. It would be a costly and risky way to catch up with the expansion of RWE’s European rivals like E.On, Enel, Iberdrola and EdF because it might strain RWE’s balance sheet given its existing capital spending plans. RWE’s acquisition record is mixed after its unsuccessful expansion into water in the U.K. and the U.S.
The Business 11th April 2008 more >>
NUCLEAR operator British Energy hit fresh highs yesterday amid revelations German utility RWE has already tabled a bid for the company, and claims that British Gas-owner Centrica has also tabled a tentative takeover bid.
Scotsman 11th April 2008 more >>
Guardian 11th April 2008 more >>
Centrica has intensified talks with RWE that could see the companies launch a joint £11bn bid for British Energy by the end of this month.
Independent 11th April 2008more >>
SIZEWELL B power station owner British Energy was today reported to be considering an £11billion takeover approach from German utility group RWE.
East Anglian Daily Times 10th April 2008 more >>
The British government has warned prospective bidders for British Energy by maintaining that it would not accept the emergence of a single monopoly player in the country’s initiative to construct a new generation of nuclear reactors.
Datamonitor 10th April 2008 more >>
Sellafield
MILK on a local farm in the Sellafield area has been contaminated by higher levels of radioactivity which has entered the food chain. Abnormal concentrations of iodine-129 have been detected and sampling is taking place at other farms in the area to see if there are any traces of the same contamination. The Environment Agency has given an assurance that there has been no health risk from the radioactive iodine but how the increased amounts have got into the milk is still a mystery.
Whitehaven News, Thursday, 10 April 2008 more >>
A GREEN Goddess fire engine that may have played a role in battle to put out the 1957 Windscale fire has been found buried deep in a trench on the Sellafield site. The fire engine is among contaminated rubbish and debris that was hurriedly disposed off by burial in the 1950s, when radiation disposal standards were lax. News of the strange burial came as Nexia Solutions had a media visit last week on the eve of anticipated approval for a key Nexia role in the National Nuclear Laboratory.
Whitehaven News, Thursday, 10 April 2008 more >>
Uranium Supplies
Insurer Aon Corporation has warned that the UK’s plan for a nuclear power renaissance must take into account risks of interruptions to the supply of uranium fuel. Hamish Roberts, London-based managing director of Aon’s natural resources team, warned that the UK must face up to risks associated with the supply of uranium, which is mostly imported over great distances from Australia, as well as from Africa.
Environmental Finance 10th April 2008 more >>
NDA
Anti-nuclear campaigners have seized on a parliamentary report that highlights the parlous state of funding for nuclear decommissioning to attack the government’s plans for nuclear expansion.
Public Finance 11th April 2008 more >>
Companies
Indian power engineering company Bharat Heavy Electricals and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture company to carry out engineering, procurement and construction activities for conventional nuclear power plant islands in India and abroad.
Energy Business Review 10th April 2008 more >>
Submarines
A hole the size of a fist has been discovered in the hull of a nuclear submarine the MoD and the Royal Navy acknowledged last night. The hole was discovered during the routine inspection of the decommissioned nuclear sub HMS Revenge at Rosyth dockyard. Naval officials said that the hole has only breached the external tanks of the nuclear powered sub. All of the weapons and radioactive fuel were removed long ago.
Public Servant Online 10th April 2008 more >>
Fuel Poverty
As many as 100,000 householders will be helped with their fuel bills under a deal with power companies brokered by the Government. An extra £225 million will be provided by the six biggest energy firms over the next two years to help those who are struggling to pay, said John Hutton, the Business Secretary. He estimated that the money could remove up to 100,000 people from fuel poverty – where 10 per cent of household income is spent on heating.
Telegraph 11th April 2008 more >>
Times 11th April 2008 more >>
Renewables
Article by David Porter, Association of Electricity Producers: The sweeping allegations about massive profits for the electricity industry which you report, may give the impression that we can switch to low-carbon electricity without it costing anything. Your article fails to identify the true impact of reducing CO2 emissions.
Guardian 11th April 2008 more >>
