Hinkley
A NEW nuclear power station at Hinkley Point is expected to give West Somerset’s economy a major boost with up to 5,000 people needed to complete the project. EDF Energy, the company behind the plans, is about to embark on the next stage of consultations into its proposals for Hinkley Point C.
Somerset County Gazette 17th Feb 2011 more >>
WILLITON should get funding for a public swimming pool, new leisure facilities and a link road as part of EDF Energy’s plans to offset the impact of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point. The village has been earmarked for a park and ride facility for construction workers travelling to the proposed Hinkley C development and local council chiefs are adamant the energy giant should do more to compensate communities affected by its proposals. Together with Sedgemoor District Council, West Somerset Council has drawn-up a comprehensive blueprint setting out its aims and aspirations from the Hinkley development. As well as better community facilities in Williton, Stogursey and Watchet also feature prominently in the draft supplementary planning document, which will now go out for public consultation. It focuses on a range of issues, including housing, tourism, leisure and waste storage and makes it clear both authorities want to see lasting, permanent benefits for local residents as a result of the multi-billion pound development.
West Somerset Free Press 18th Feb 2011 more >>
Heysham
OFFSHORE windfarms in the seas just off Barrow have to send their electricity by seabed cable 45 kilometres south to Heysham or beyond to Blackpool to link in to the national electricity grid.
North West Evening Mail 19th Feb 2011 more >>
Korea
North Korea is digging tunnels at a site where it has launched two nuclear tests, suggesting it is preparing a third, the South’s Yonhap news agency said on Sunday, a development which would trigger concern across the region.
Yahoo 20th Feb 2011 more >>
Microgeneration
Energetix has launched its first micro-CHP boiler this month. The Energetix Kingston looks and operates just like a normal boiler. As well as heating water and powering the central heating system, it also generates electricity enough to meet about half the annual needs of the typical home, leading to big savings on energy bills.
Hutchings claims a top normal boiler might cost £2,500; the Kingston will cost £800 more. He estimates homeowners can make up the cost of their boiler in two-and-a-half years. Under the Government’s feed-in tariff scheme homeowners also receive 10p for every kilowatt-hour of electricity generated. Before setting up his business, Hutchings had spent most of his career working in the nuclear industry for British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL), the Government’s former nuclear fuel manufacturer in Chester, becoming commercial manager of new business ventures.
Sunday Times 20th Feb 2011 more >>
