21 March 2010

EDF

In addition to planning four new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk, de Rivaz wants to recruit 10,000 new staff over the next five years and expects to achieve life extensions averaging five years for EDF Energy’s 14 advanced gas-cooled reactors and 20 years for its pressurised water reactor at Sizewell. EDF Energy is also in the final stages of trying to sell its UK electricity distribution networks business and de Rivaz is busy lobbying the Government and its potential Conservative successor about the need for changes to Britain’s energy infrastructure. With the Conservatives, at least, he appears to be on solid ground. Last Friday, the party finally revealed, after much delay, its energy policy and, in it, a firm commitment to new nuclear reactors. The policy of setting a floor price for carbon is likely to disadvantage coal-fired and gas-fired power generation to the advantage of nuclear. A new Green Investment Bank will also use private funds to support nuclear expansion. For EDF, all that is good news.

Telegraph 21st Mar 2010 more >>

Hinkley

BRIDGWATER MP Ian Liddell-Grainger joined the leaders of Sedgemoor and West Somerset councils, Duncan McGinty and Keith Ross, for a meeting with key Government officials to discuss plans for a Hinkley C power station.

This is the West Country 20th Mar 2010 more >>

Wylfa

Speaking at the Future of Utilities conference in London this week, the chief executive of RWE n.power, Volker Beckers, has made it clear that in the event of a hung parliament Wylfa B will not be built.

The Druid 20th Mar 2010 more >>

Kirksanton

There is growing anger at proposals to build a new nuclear power station on the site of the second oldest wind farm in Britain.

Sky News 21st Mar 2010 more >>

Sizewell

Suffolk Coastal has made it clear that it feels that there should be a genuine local say in whether another nuclear power station is built at Sizewell and that there should be a clear commitment to ensuring that if any such development is given the go-ahead that there will be a positive lasting legacy. In February 2010 Suffolk Coastal gave its formal responses to the Government’s consultation on its draft NPS.

Suffolk Coastal District Council 12th Mar 2010 more >>

Sellafield

A security inspection will be carried out at Sellafield as part of a worldwide drive to stop the spread of materials needed to make nuclear weapons.

Carlisle News and Star 20th Mar 2010 more >>

Israel

Has the Obama administration inadvertently given Israel a green light to bomb Iran’s nuclear programme? That would certainly seem the most obvious conclusion to be drawn from the mounting diplomatic stand-off between Washington and Jerusalem over the Israeli government’s decision to press ahead with the construction of 1,600 apartments in a Jewish neighbourhood of north Jerusalem.

Telegraph 21st Mar 2010 more >>

Disarmament

FOR more than 40 years Mike Lesser has lived with a nuclear secret that once had him on the run from MI5. This weekend the retired mathematician from London has broken his silence to confess that he was one of the “spies for peace” who caused uproar in the 1960s. He was, he admits, responsible for uncovering Britain’s secret network of undergound bunkers built to protect the government in case of nuclear war.

Sunday Times 21st Mar 2010 more >>

Renewables

The growth of Scotland’s potential “green gold rush” is impeded by poor infrastructure which prevents renewable energy from reaching lucrative markets, the SNP spring conference heard. Party members lined up to highlight the country’s potential to boost its economic fortunes and create jobs by harnessing the power of natural resources. But they expressed frustration at a system which they say prevents them from meeting economic and climate change targets.

Herald 21st Mar 2010 more >>