New nukes
Pensioned-off engineers will have to be brought out of retirement if the revival of nuclear power is not to be hit by serious delays, the Government has been warned. A shortage of professional engineers and skilled trades is threatening plans to build new nuclear power stations around the country to ensure security of electricity supply and avoid the risk of blackouts, it is claimed. Over the next 10 years the nuclear sector will need to recruit between 5,900-9,000 graduates and 2,700-4,500 skilled trades to meet nuclear needs, a London conference will be told today.
Telegraph 28th April 2008 more >>
An American-Japanese consortium is bidding to construct two new nuclear power stations at sites in Gloucestershire and Essex as the race to build a new generation of reactors intensifies. Energy Solutions, a nuclear services firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is working on the plans with Toshiba-Westinghouse, a supplier of reactor technology. They are already collaborating on a proposed new nuclear station at Wylfa in Anglesey, North Wales. The Times has learnt that the consortium has tabled a bid to build and operate a reactor at Bradwell in Essex and one at Oldbury in Gloucesterhire.
Times 28th April 2008 more >>
Ineos, the petrochemicals giant whose Grangemouth refinery in Scotland has been shut down by a strike, is in talks with British Energy Group Plc. over a power deal that would help to finance a new generation of nuclear power stations in Britain, The Sunday Times reported citing sources.
Interactive Investor 27th April 2008 more >>
Gas
Britain’s imports of liquefied natural gas have slowed almost to a standstill this year, adding to the pressure on domestic prices, which have already risen by at least 15%. The sharp fall in LNG imports is an embarrassment for the government after heavy spending on the infrastructure needed to boost shipments to compensate for dwindling gas supplies from the North Sea. It also follows a drop in the level of gas imports from continental Europe in spite of higher prices in Britain.
Guardian 28th April 2008 more >>
