Energy Review
The Energy Challenge Document is available at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review/index.html
And also at the BBC site below.
The go-ahead has been given for a new wave of UK nuclear power stations. Industry secretary Alistair Darling told MPs nuclear power needed to be part of the mix of energy supply for the UK over the next 40 years.
BBC 11th July 2006
The nuclear power industry dealt a blow to the government’s hopes of seeing a new generation of plants when leaders warned that the energy review published yesterday did not go far enough or offer suitable incentives. Politicians must get away from the “froth” of words and come up with something more concrete before winning support for new stations, said the Association of Electricity Producers (AEP). Other nuclear experts warned that Tony Blair’s hopes of a nuclear future could be wrecked by skills shortages, while the energy regulator, Alistair Buchanan, said last night there could be a gas supply crunch as early as this winter.
Guardian 12th July 2006
The government yesterday unveiled an array of measures, from nuclear new-build to phasing out the standby setting on computers. It said these would take the UK closer towards meeting its target of cutting carbon emissions by 60% of 1990 levels by 2050 and helping to secure energy supplies in the long term.
Guardian 12th July 2006
Mr Blair and Alistair Darling are right to say that Britain needs a mix of energy sources. For that reason, replacing Britain’s aging nuclear infrastructure with a new generation of safer and cheaper nuclear generators is a sensible step. That will not be popular in all quarters, even with many of those who are greatly concerned by climate change. What is important is that renewing Britain’s nuclear generators should be seen as a stop-gap measure. That is why replacing the current proportion of power generated by nuclear means, rather than increasing it further, is important. Over-emphasis on nuclear power could dangerously distort Britain’s energy market and crowd out funding and research into alternatives.
Guardian Editorial 12th July 2006
If the government got one thing right yesterday it was to present the energy review as something more than just a straight vote for nuclear power. Many critics and supporters were left confused and frustrated by the details- or lack of them – on atomic power given by industry secretary Alistair Darling. Alan Duncan, for the Tories, accused Labour of producing not just a carbon-free strategy but a content-free one, while the Association of Electricity Producers, whose members would build any new plants, called for an end to the “frothy talk”. But others saw the signals they wanted or suspected. The Washington Group, a nuclear project management company, welcomed a commitment to atomic power while London’s mayor, Ken Livingstone, condemned it as a “colossal mistake”.
Guardian 12th July 2006
The Daily Star says – we prefer the Cameron way with green fuels. With nuclear power there is always a danger of another Chernobyl.
Daily Star 12th July 2006
