New Nukes
A huge expansion of nuclear power was signalled by the Government today as it named 10 sites where new power stations could be built. An 11th site was put forward earlier this year by energy companies as a possible location for a new nuclear power station, but the Government announced today that the site at Dungeness in Kent had not been included in today’s list because of concerns about coastal erosion and flood risk. Three other potential sites were also looked at, but they were found not to be suitable. These sites were at Druridge Bay in Northumberland, Kingsnorth in Kent and Owston Ferry in South Yorkshire.
Daily Mail 10th Nov 2009 more >>
A new generation of power plants will be in use by the end of the decade after Mr Miliband approved most of the 11 short-listed sites. Most are expected to be next to existing plants such as Sizewell, Hinkley Point and Sellafield and planning will be fast-tracked by a new quango, the Infrastructure Planning Commission, which the Tories described as undemocratic. Today’s plans will increase the amount of Britain’s nuclear electricity from 15 per cent to 25 per cent by 2025. Mr Miliband believes it is crucial for the UK to meet its target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
London Evening Standard 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Morning Star 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Guardian 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Mirror 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Telegraph 10th Nov 2009 more >>
FT 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Energy Business Review 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Ed Miliband’s Statement to the House
DECC 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Draft National Policy Statements for Energy Consultation Pages
DECC 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Consultation on the Proposed Justification Decisions on AP1000 and EPR reactors.
DECC 9th Nov 2009 more >>
UK energy policy began an overhaul today with six new draft policy statements for the period to 2025. Nuclear is proposed as a key plank of future supplies and ten sites were named as suitable for new build. Having historically provided up to 30% of electricity, the UK’s ageing reactor fleet will be replaced from 2017 by private investors as part of a “trinity” of low-carbon technologies required for Britain’s future: renewables, nuclear and carbon capture.
World Nuclear News 9th Nov 2009 more >>
It is already too late to begin building more nuclear power stations. Even if new sites could be identified, the planning laws short-circuited and construction authorised within months, it will take almost a decade before new power plants could begin producing electricity. By that time Britain will be critically short of energy. Older nuclear plants will have been decommissioned, the gas-fired generators will be dependent on costly imported fuel and the exaggerated hopes for renewable energy generation will be left, like the few completed wind farms, blowing in the wind. Nuclear reactors, given the potential for catastrophe, need intensive inspection and testing at every stage of their construction. This is especially true for the new generation of reactors developed by the French, one of which is now being build in Finland. Second, the cost of new reactors remains prohibitive not because of running costs, but because the decommissioning of expired plants has proved hugely expensive.
Times 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Geoffrey Lean: As recently as 2003 Tony Blair had to use all his authority just to keep the atomic option open when his ministers wanted to rule it out altogether. The about-face,as Mr Miliband made clear, has been brought about by increasing evidence of the dire effects of climate change. The problems of nuclear power have gone not away despite more than half a century of use in Britain. We still do not know how we are going to dispose of its highly radioactive waste.
Telegraph 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Fears have been raised about the health and environmental risks to Ireland after the British Government gave the green light for the construction of 10 new nuclear power plants seven of them along the Irish Sea. And after years of campaigning by the Irish Government and environmental groups to close the plant at Sellafield in England, British authorities have confirmed they will build a new reactor there. The new Sellafield plant is among 10 reactors to be given the go-ahead, with the first opening by 2018. Just three of the new reactors will be located on the east coast of England Hartlepool in Co Durham, Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex.
Belfast Telegraph 10th Nov 2009 more >>
With the move to build ten nuclear power plants, the controversial Infrastructure Planning Commission faces its first test. The independent commission was created to speed up the planning process for big infrastructure projects such as nuclear plants, airports and motorways, which in the past could take ten years to get started. Although its powers were diluted somewhat after Commons rebellions last year, it remains able to fast-track decisions without ministerial intervention. The aim is for projects such as nuclear power stations to start within a year of a National Policy Statement being published. Under the old procedures, planning applications had to be debated locally, and went to the Secretary of State. Now there will be no public inquiries, and limited open-floor hearings.
Times 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Scotland
THE Scottish Government was accused yesterday of blocking the creation of thousands of jobs by opposing new nuclear power stations north of the Border. Scotland has two operational nuclear sites – Hunterston and Torness – but the SNP government is refusing to sanction new reactors. Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said new nuclear power plants would create thousands of jobs. “None will be situated in Scotland because of the SNP’s incompetence and dogma,” he said. David Mundell, the shadow Scottish secretary, said the SNP’s policy amounted to a “lost opportunity”. He continued: “Alex Salmond’s position means that Scotland will end up being importers of nuclear energy from England.”
Scotsman 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Herald 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Times 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Bradwell
BRADWELL could be revealed as a site for a new nuclear power station on Monday. The Government’s National Policy Statement on nuclear energy will be published and a decision about the fate of land next to the existing power station, which is currently being decommissioned, will be included in it.
Essex Gazette 8th Nov 2009 more >>
BRADWELL has been named by the Government as one of 10 sites in England and Wales suitable for new nuclear power stations.
Total Essex 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Cumbria
Three Cumbrian locations have been included on a Government list of potential sites for new nuclear power stations. Plans are on the table for reactors at Braystones, near Egremont, Kirksanton, near Millom and Sellafield.
Carlisle News and Star 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Dungeness
Dungeness in Kent has been dropped from a Government list of potential locations for new nuclear power stations. The location, which was one of eleven sites nominated by industry in March, was not listed in the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s draft National Policy Statements consultation, which opened today. Concerns about how to mitigate potential environmental impacts at the site, coastal erosion and associated flood risk were among the reasons.
Construction News 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Romney Marsh Times 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Heysham
Lancashire’s Heysham power plant has been picked as one of 10 sites where a new nuclear reactor could be built. The site was named by the Government as part of a fast-track plan to create the next generation of plants to power the country from 2018. It is expected Heysham now seems certain to be sold by owners EDF Energy which is being forced to sell either the Lancashire plant or its reactor in Dungeness, Kent under competition rules. Dungeness was left off the list unveiled on Monday due to fears over coastal erosion and future flooding, ruling it out for being sold off.
Lancashire Evening Post 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Lancashire faces a jobs bonanza after ministers paved the way for a new nuclear power station to be built on the county’s coastline.
Lancashire Evening Post 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Hinkley
Jim Duffy, spokesman for Stop Hinkley said: “There are a host of reasons to challenge the nuclear policy statement from our simply not needing nuclear power to the undemocratic and superficial planning system that is being foisted on us. And we call for a public inquiry into the Justification issue through which nuclear new build and its health effects should be thoroughly scrutinised. A truly independent examination of the local effects of radiation should be enough to scupper the nuclear project. Ed Milliband cannot claim to have that independence.” “There are several conditions upon which new nuclear pivots. Resolving the thorny nuclear waste problem is one and looks nowhere near resolution. The concerned public should be confident there are several fronts where new nuclear power is weak and can be challenged.”
Bristol Indymedia 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Oldbury and Hinkley Point have named by the government as possible sites for new nuclear power stations, as energy and climate secretary Ed Miliband announced a huge increase in atomic power generation for the UK.
Bristol 24/7 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Oldbury
The firm behind moves to build new nuclear reactors near Bristol said up to 800 permanent jobs could be created through the massive project, with thousands more involved in the construction phase. But Horizon Nuclear Power, the name given to the joint venture created by power firms Eon UK and RWE npower, will only be able to press ahead with its proposals if the Oldbury-on-Severn and Shepperdine area, near Thornbury, is included in the Government’s nuclear national policy statement.
Bristol Evening Post 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Plans to build a new nuclear power station near the existing Oldbury plant near Thornbury have won government backing.
Bristol Evening Post 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Sizewell
Sizewell was today named by the government as suitable for a new nuclear power station. Any planning application for the site will be fast tracked to ensure the development happens quickly, energy secretary Ed Miliband said today.
East Anglian Daily Press 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Wylfa
PLANS for a new nuclear power station – Wylfa B – on Anglesey, could be fast-tracked under controversial guidelines set to be unveiled by the UK Government today.
Daily Post 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Daily Post 10th Nov 2009 more >>
The Welsh Assembly Government is at odds with MPs over the prospect of a new nuclear power station on Anglesey. First Minister Rhodri Morgan said the government in Wales remains opposed to new nuclear plants despite the approval of Wylfa as a potential site. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said nuclear expansion on the island would provide vital jobs and a “stable energy mix”.
BBC 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Radioactive Waste
The Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD) has produced two summary reports on the disposability of higher activity solid radioactive wastes and spent fuel that would be generated by reactors in a new nuclear build programme.
NDA 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Dounreay
Contractors are clamouring to get involved in the construction of a £150m waste facility at Dounreay in a bid to demonstrate their suitability for the planned nuclear build programme. The work will not start until March 2011, but firms are already queuing up to deliver one of the largest clean-up projects at the site to date. More than 100 companies attended a suppliers’ day earlier this year to hear about Dounreay Site Restoration’s plans, which include the construction of a waste treatment plant that will convert liquid and solid radioactive waste to a stable waste form suitable for long-term disposal.
Contract Journal 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Companies
NUCLEAR industry insiders say Rolls-Royce is in a prime position to benefit from billions of pounds of investment in new power stations. The Government announced 10 sites yesterday where it wants state-of-the-art nuclear power stations to be built by 2025 to boost energy supplies. Rolls-Royce is at the forefront of the UK’s manufacturing base for the nuclear plants that will drive the stations – which could each cost about £2bn to build.
East Midlands Business 10th Nov 2009 more >>
Coal
The UK’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) competition is “dead on its feet” with only one of the three projects in the running capable of delivering a full scale working demonstration plant by the 2014 deadline, a leading expert has warned. Speaking to BusinessGreen.com, Professor Stuart Hazeldine, a geologist at the University of Edinburgh and leading expert in CCS technologies, said that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) should close the competition and award the funding to Scottish Power to develop CCS at its Longannet plant in Fife in order to prevent any more time being wasted.
Business Green 9th Nov 2009 more >>
Mr Miliband put carbon capture at the heart of Government priorities and promised that no coal plants would be built without being fitted with the unproven technology. However, a consortium of RWE npower, Peel Energy and Dong Energy undermined his optimism saying they no longer wanted the funding, just weeks after E.ON froze its plans until 2016 – missing the Government’s deadline. This makes the consortium of Scottish Power, Shell and National Grid as the only remaining candidate likely to deliver its project on time, raising concerns that utilities find it hard to see carbon capture as commercially attractive.
Telegraph 10th Nov 2009 more >>
