British Energy
The on-off £12bn takeover saga of British Energy risks delaying plans to build new nuclear reactors on government-owned sites, it has emerged. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the government-backed body, is waiting to launch a formal auction of land surrounding its sites. It had planned to invite energy groups to table bids at the beginning of the month when nuclear generator British Energy looked certain to accept a takeover by French group EDF. But the £12bn deal fell through at the eleventh hour. Low-level talks between the companies are continuing but it is not clear when, or if, the takeover can be resurrected, plunging the government’s plans for nuclear new build into chaos. The NDA must hold off until the ownership of the nuclear generator is resolved, because this would affect who would bid for its own sites.
Observer 17th Aug 2008 more >>
Nuclear Security
GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS protesting against a shipment of nuclear waste on its way to Sellafield are putting themselves at risk of death or injury, the UK nuclear security chief has warned. Roger Brunt, the director of the government’s Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS), has accused the international anti-nuclear group of “recklessness” during attempts to board a boat carrying plutonium-contaminated waste from Sweden. But Greenpeace insisted that its volunteers were “highly trained” and abided by rigorous safety procedures. The dangers they were trying to prevent were far greater than any they might have caused, the organisation argued.
Sunday Herald 17th Aug 2008 more >>
Scotland
First Minister Alex Salmond said: “BERR is proving to be the single biggest obstacle to Scotland fulfilling our renewable energy potential. Not only have they refused to act to counter unfair connection charges imposed on generators in Scotland over a period of years, now they are actively undermining the building of transmission systems.”
Scotland on Sunday 17th Aug 2008 more >>
Missile Shield
Redzikowo has been chosen to host 10 American missiles as part of an anti-nuclear shield and Slupsk is once again in the gun sights of a powerful neighbour engaged in a struggle for global power. Its place on the front line of a new East-West conflict came into sharper focus this week when a Russian general said the presence of the missiles was “exposing Poland” to a nuclear strike.
Telegraph 17th Aug 2008 more >>
Mail on Sunday 17th Aug 2008 more >>
Russia is considering arming its Baltic fleet with nuclear warheads for the first time since the cold war, senior military sources warned last night. The move, in response to American plans for a missile defence shield in Europe, would heighten tensions raised by the advance of Russian forces to within 20 miles of Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, yesterday.
Times 17th Aug 2008 more >>
