Politics
Shadow minister Jack Dromey has hailed UK nuclear power as a “sunrise industry” and dismissed safety fears. “The possibility of a Fukushima-type accident in Britain is as remote as me getting hit by a meteor,” he told a Labour conference fringe meeting. The MP urged ministers to ensure British firms benefited from plans to build a new generation of reactors. But anti-nuclear campaigners said the industry was guilty of “false promises” on cost and safety. He said Labour would never play party politics with the nuclear issue, and there was a genuine cross-party agreement that new reactors were needed. Andy Rowell, of the Nuclear SpinWatch website, said: “For the last few years, the nuclear industry has tried to persuade the British public that it is green, safe and cost-effective, but each one is a false promise. Fukushima once again showed us the dangers of nuclear power. “It will make only a minimal contribution to tackling climate change, and money could be much more effectively spent on other carbon abatement projects like energy efficiency.”
BBC 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Companies
A TEES Valley engineering firm is set to create 100 new jobs as it repositions itself for the UK’s new nuclear market. Darchem Engineering originally specialised in fire protection and insulation systems for nuclear power stations, until the drop-off in their popularity saw it diversify into other markets, such as aerospace, automobiles, defense and oil and gas sectors. Although nuclear became a smaller part of its business the company has continued to work in the field, working on about 50 per cent of the new nuclear civil builds in China and on more than 140 nuclear power stations world-wide.
Northern Echo 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Sellafield
NuGen has reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear new build in Cumbria and says its plans are gaining momentum, an MP has revealed. NuGeneration Ltd, the consortium which wants to develop the Sellafield station with up to three reactors, predicts a multi-billion pound investment for west Cumbria. Labour MP for Copeland and Shadow Environment Minister, Jamie Reed, sought assurances from NuGen following the withdrawal of Scottish & Southern Electric (SSE) from the consortium, which also consists of Iberdrola (Spain) and GDF Suez (France).
Cumberland News 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Scottish and Southern Energy, one of the UK’s biggest power companies has withdrawn from its nuclear joint venture NuGen. The announcement comes after signals the company’s interest in nuclear was waning at the end of last year when it said in its six month statement: ‘The cost, development issues, timetable and operational efficacy of nuclear power stations all require the greatest possible scrutiny before a commitment to invest can be made’.
Share Cast 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Hartlepool
NUCLEAR power, new stations and job opportunities were high on the agenda at Hartlepool power stations first open day this month. More than 35 people attended the event which saw plant manager, Nick Collins, and other members of the station lead a team talk to the audience about the site and EDF Energys role in developing new stations. Other specialists from the station were also in attendance to give attendees the opportunity to ask direct questions on all aspects of nuclear energy generation, recruitment and training.
Evening Gazette 26th Sept 2011 more >>
EDF Energy , Britain’s largest nuclear power producer, shut down its 620-megawatt (MW) Hartlepool 2 nuclear reactor on Saturday for refuelling, a spokeswoman said late on Sunday.
Reuters 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Wylfa
A third bridge across the Menai Strait could be needed if a new nuclear plant is built on Anglesey, a transport plan suggests. The plan by consultants Grontmij said freight and car traffic to the proposed Wylfa B plant would add to congestion on the two existing road links. Construction work on the plant could begin in 2015 and last for six years, the report said. Anglesey council leader Bryan Owen said a third bridge would be advantageous.
BBC 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Daily Post 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Scotland
Investment in offshore renewables over the last year is a sign of “greater things to come” for the country’s clean technology sector, the First Minister has said. Alex Salmond welcomed developments in the sector, which he said have brought jobs and investment to Scotland, ahead of the opening of an international conference on financing green energy and other low carbon initiatives. He said: “In the area of low carbon energy generation, Scotland has secured a series of significant strategic decisions from major players in the power industry over the last 12 months which are bringing jobs and investment to Scotland, and underpinning our position as a location of choice for clean-tech development.” Mr Salmond continued: “I am confident that these very welcome developments are a sign of greater things to come, with much more investment and many thousands jobs expected to be created as we move towards our 2020 vision for renewables.”
Herald 27th Sept 2011 more >>
Nuclear Costs
Building nuclear power plants can be expensive for investors and customers, adding significant risks to utility stocks generally used as a haven for retirees, widows and others wanting investments with financial stability. A new study released this month by the Texas Institute found a 70 percent certainty that the utility would see its borrowing costs rise due to the downgrading of its credit rating once construction began. The study tracked the experiences of 52 investor-owned utilities that built nuclear power plants from 1960 to the present. Between the ’60s and early ’80s, the flurry of plant construction was marred by massive cost overruns and electric-rate increases. Twelve percent of the utilities defaulted on their debts. The financial costs were so great that no utility was willing to launch a new project, and half of those approved by regulators were scrapped by utilities themselves over costs concerns. As a result of those concerns, no commercial reactors have been built in the U.S. for 30 years.
Florida Times 26th Sept 2011 more >>
IAEA
The UN atomic agency urged states on Monday to provide extra funding to strengthen global nuclear safety in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima accident – a request some may balk at amid growing economic worries.
News24 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Engineering & Technology 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Reuters 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Korea
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today called for North Korea to resume talks about its nuclear programme in the latest attempt to cajole the reclusive country back to the table.
Daily Mail 27th Sept 2011 more >>
Japan
Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) , owner of Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, will be more flexible about the steps tens of thousands of victims need to take to apply for compensation, the company said on Monday.
Reuters 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Germany
Following examination of an appeal submitted by German energy concern Eon, the tax court in Hamburg recently expressed considerable doubts as to the constitutionality of the German governments nuclear fuel tax law.
Low Tax 27th Sept 2011 more >>
Smart Networks
We to need to bust open the energy market and get more trust into the drive for energy efficiency. This was the message from Shadow Secretary for Energy and Climate Change Meg Hillier MP speaking at an Energy Networks Association (ENA) fringe event in Liverpool. The audience, including members of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and other MPs and Peers, heard the challenges facing the country at the moment and pointed to the critical role the public have to play in a low-carbon future: We have a great opportunity to create green jobs, drive green growth and to empower customers to change the way they use energy. By empowering them to take control they can also reduce the cost to them.
ENA 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Renewables
Investment in the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure has been thrown into doubt as an urgent review into the subsidy regime has been delayed. Renewable energy companies are concerned that the delay of Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) reforms promised this year by the government will prompt a rethink of the investment plans. The review is crucial for investors as they are currently unable to make long-term business plans without knowing how much support they are likely to receive in future. Ministers are thought to be wary of attracting attention to the level of subsidies for green electricity, after a spate of reports in sections of the media and on the right of the Tory party criticising renewable subsidies as a component in energy prices. Chris Huhne, environment secretary, argues that consumers are more at risk of rising costs from the volatility of the gas price, and that investing in renewables is the best way to prevent future rises.
Guardian 26th Sept 2011 more >>
Thames Water turns to ‘poo power’ for renewable electricity generation. Company estimates that 16% of its electricity needs will be met in the current financial year by burning sewage flakes.
Guardian 26th Sept 2011 more >>
The Third Industrial Revolution offers the hope that we can arrive at a sustainable post-carbon era by mid-century. We have the science, the technology, and the game plan to make it happen. Now it is a question of whether we will recognize the economic possibilities that lie ahead and muster the will to get there in time.
Huffington Post 25th September 2011 more >>
Greece is planning to make amends for its multibillion-euro bailouts by providing Germany with the one commodity it has to spare sunshine. On his visit to Berlin this week for talks on the crisis, the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will try to negotiate a huge solar power project to help to fill the energy gap that will be left by Angela Merkels decision to phase out nuclear production in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. The Greeks have endured taunts from German tabloids to sell off holiday islands such as Corfu to pay their debts. Project Helios could be the next best thing. Rather than more German towels on Ionian beaches, Teutonic solar panels will cover up to 20,000 hectares (more than 77 square miles) of depleted lignite mines near the northern Greek city of Kozani.
Times 26th Sept 2011 more >>
