Multibillion-pound plans to build a nuclear plant at Moorside in Cumbria are likely to be abandoned within months unless a buyer is found. The Nugen venture, owned by Toshiba, is considering plans to shut down with the loss of 100 jobs after a sale to Kepco stalled. The decision would be a blow to government hopes for a series of new plants to help to keep the lights on once existing reactors close. Moorside, which is next to the Sellafield waste site, is one of five proposed plants vying to follow EDF’s Hinkley Point project that is under construction in Somerset. Nugen was founded in 2009. Toshiba bought into the venture in 2014 with plans to deploy reactors made by Westinghouse Electric Company, its subsidiary. The Japanese conglomerate was thrown into crisis last year when Westinghouse’s costs overran on reacto rs in the United States. Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy protection and was sold off, while Toshiba was forced to take full control of Nugen when Engie, the French utility company, quit. Nugen appeared to be saved when Toshiba announced that Kepco had been appointed the preferred bidder to buy the venture. The South Korean state-controlled company hoped to use its own reactors at the site. Talks have since stalled, amid leadership changes in South Korea and uncertainty over the financial support on offer from the British government. Ministers do not want to repeat the funding model used for Hinkley Point, which was criticised as too expensive. They said the government may invest directly in the next project, Hitachi’s Wylfa plant on Anglesey, but would go back to the drawing board for other projects. Toshiba confirmed that it had cancelled the preferred-bidder status, meaning that it would consider other buyers.
Times 31st July 2018 read more »
In response to the news that the NuGeneration consortium behind the proposed Moorside nuclear plant have decided to lay off most of their staff in the UK, Kate Blagojevic, Head of Energy at Greenpeace UK, said -“The government’s appointed experts, the National Infrastructure Committee, have already made it clear that the UK shouldn’t continue with the proposed Moorside nuclear power station, it’s an outdated technology which just isn’t needed in a modern, smart grid when there are cheaper, cleaner and safer alternatives which are proven to do the job. The government urgently needs to provide reliable support for these renewable industries that can deliver low cost energy, as the foundation stone of our ability to deliver essential emissions cuts from cars and heating our homes.”
Greenpeace 30th July 2018 read more »
All staff at risk of redundancy at Moorside nuclear plant. The future of Cumbria’s Moorside Nuclear Power station is in doubt after all UK employees were put on notice of redundancy.
New Civil Engineer 31st July 2018 read more »
Bill Esterson MP, Labour’s Shadow Small Business Minister, commenting on the planned Moorside nuclear power station, said: “Labour has been consistent in its support for Moorside and has called on the Government to take a public stake to ensure that this vital power station is finally built; guaranteeing the creation of thousands of highly-skilled and well-paid jobs that communities in Cumbria need and deserve. “The Government has so far refused to heed Labour’s calls to step in and underwrite the company’s investment if the project is at risk of collapsing. “Labour supports new nuclear as part of the UK’s energy mix to keep the lights on and tackle climate change.”
Labour Party 30th July 2018 read more »
Delays to the planned sale of Toshiba’s NuGen nuclear project in Britain have prompted a review of the roles of 60 direct employees, who are mainly based in Manchester, raising further doubts over its future.
Reuters 30th July 2018 read more »
