New Nukes
EDF Energy has moved to reassure contractors that questions over the safety of the nuclear reactor it plans to roll out in the UK have been addressed. Concerns were being raised by construction firms who feared potential problems with Areva’s designs could significantly delay the building of new UK plants. But EDF told Construction News there would be “no delay”. The good news came as influential business group CBI put further pressure on the Government to move its focus onto nuclear plans.
Construction News 16th July 2009 more >>
Letter from John Sauven, Greenpeace: Ed Miliband says his conversion to the cause of nuclear power came as a result of his “hard-headed environmentalism”. But any hard-headed appraisal of nuclear’s potential to deliver significant quantities of affordable low-carbon electricity should lead him to reject it. There are currently two new-build projects in the EU – in Finland construction of a new plant is three years behind schedule and significantly over-budget, while a similar story is unfolding at Flamanville in France. Meanwhile a consortium of 12 of Europe’s largest technology and energy companies this week signed an agreement launching the world’s most ambitious solar energy project, with potential investment topping 400bn euros. Unfortunately for UK plc, the leading firms behind the initiative are German. Just like in the 80s, Whitehall’s obsession with nuclear risks us missing out on the coming renewables bonanza and taking the steps that would slash our carbon emissions.
Guardian 16th July 2009 more >>
Low Carbon Plan
The government seized control of key levers in the energy sector today in an attempt to kickstart a stalling “green energy” revolution and head off the threats of global warming and a rundown in North Sea oil. Ministers plan to take over the allocation of electricity grid connections in order to favour renewable schemes, force the industry regulator, Ofgem, to tackle carbon pollution and pass laws to compel power companies to help poorer families meet rising energy bills. The moves came as Ed Miliband, energy and climate change secretary, set out an ambitious road map for the UK to meet its legally binding target of a 34% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Measures range across homes, cars, business and farming, but clean electricity generation will deliver half the reduction.
Guardian 16th July 2009 more >>
The government today outlined an energy revolution aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 34% within only 11 years and set the nation on track for an 80% cut by 2050. It signalled a historic switch away from fossil fuels, which drove the industrial revolution for 200 years, towards a future economy that will depend on renewable and nuclear power.
Guardian 16th July 2009 more >>
Independent 16th July 2009 more >>
FT 16th July 2009 more >>
Ed Miliband today promised to meet “over 30%” of Britain’s green energy targets with wind and other renewable energy sources by 2020, but for the first time his Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) opened the door to that figure being revised downwards. Miliband denied he was rowing back on previous commitments to hit 32%, and said concerns over the intermittent nature of wind – that turbines could be idle in the wrong kind of weather – “were not as significant as others say”. Renewable power company executives, who told the Guardian their contacts with civil servants had led them to believe ministers were in danger of being influenced by nuclear and other power sectors, and this could lead to a downward revision of wind electricity goals. That scepticism fed into a strategy paper published by the Confederation of British Industry on Monday, which called on the government to drop its wind targets to 25% and boost nuclear power instead.
Guardian 16th July 2009 more >>
The low carbon transition plan sets out how the government is to meet its binding carbon budget – an 18% cut in emissions on 2008 levels by 2020 (34% on 1990 levels). It also allocated individual carbon budgets for the major UK government departments, which are expected to produce their own plans. The plan aims to cut emissions from the power sector and heavy industry by 22% on 2008 levels by 2020 – using 40% of electricity from low-carbon sources by that date. The government is also launching the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment and will, later this year, publish a “high-level vision” for a future smart grid. Producing around 30% of our electricity from renewables by substantially increasing the requirement for electricity suppliers to sell renewable electricity; Fund up to four demonstrations of capturing and storing emissions from coal power stations. Facilitate the building of new nuclear power stations.
Guardian 16th July 2009 more >>
Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, announced yesterday that planning rules would be changed to make it easier for 6,000 onshore wind turbines to be built. Britain’s “default position” would be to accept new onshore turbines, he said.
Telegraph 16th July 2009 more >>
Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for energy and climate change, gave Ofgem greater powers to fight market abuse and issue financial penalties. As part of the reforms, Ofgem will also be responsible for ensuring the UK has enough energy and reducing emissions. However, the Government took the power to grant companies access to the national power grid from the regulator. Mr Miliband will take on this role in a move understood to stem from concerns that big electricity producers were trying to stop plans allowing rival generators from renewable sources selling their supplies.
Telegraph 16th July 2009 more >>
Transforming Britain into a low-carbon nation is an exciting prospect. Ed Miliband’s White Paper could deliver ecologically as well as economically, given the boost to jobs and investment that a transition on this scale requires.
Telegraph 16th July 2009 more >>
Household gas and electricity bills will rise by up to £249 a year to pay for a seven-fold increase in energy from low-carbon sources by 2020, according to the Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy . The actual cost per home will depend on how successful the Government is in implementing a series of new measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes and reduce fuel consumption.
Times 16th July 2009 more >>
Nuclear Research
The UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, launched today, sets out the action the Government is taking to ensure that British businesses and workers are equipped to maximise the economic opportunities and minimise the costs of the transition to a low carbon economy. Up to £15 million capital investment in order to establish a Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre consisting of a consortium of manufacturers from the UK nuclear supply chain and universities.
Business, Innovation & Skills Department 15th July 2009 more >>
Politics.co.uk 15th July 2009 more >>
MILLIONS of pounds of local investment and hundreds of new jobs could be created after Government gave the go-ahead for a new nuclear research centre. The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre will see about 30 manufacturing companies, academics and experts from a wide range of different backgrounds come together to solve any technical challenges the industry could face as it expands.
NW Evening Mail 15th July 2009 more >>
Contract Journal 15th July 2009 more >>
Works Management 15th July 2009 more >>
Major initiatives for the nuclear supply chain were a part of the UK’s Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, released today. The document places nuclear power development as one of the main parts of the transition to a low-carbon energy system which represents a major opportunity for business. Key in grasping that opportunity, the government report said, is improving skills and capabilities at the hundreds of companies which could be involved in the nuclear supply chain for new reactor projects in the Uk and worldwide. To do this, a Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is to be set up with £15 million ($25 million) from government. It will help a consortium of 30 companies gain accreditation to produce nuclear-quality components.
World Nuclear News 15th July 2009 more >>
Rolls-Royce is to lead the development of the UK’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC), announced as part of the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy launched by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
Works Management 15th July 2009 more >>
New Reactors
Japan’s national public broadcaster NHK said that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Toshiba Corporation will jointly build up a new type of nuclear reactor with the help of the Japanese government, Bloomberg reported. The Japanese government desires both the companies to develop the nuclear reactor by 2025. The new nuclear reactor will be more fuel efficient and earthquake resistant than conventional models, NHK said.
Energy Business Review 14th July 2009 more >>
Scotland
CAMPAIGNERS have accused Westminster of undermining Scotland’s efforts to become a world leader in marine renewables by showing a lack of support to the budding industry north of the Border. The strong waves and tides off the Scottish coast have led experts to believe it could lead the way globally in the development of marine renewables, boosting the economy and creating thousands of jobs. However, the director of WWF Scotland yesterday called into doubt whether enough financial backing was being given by the UK government.
Scotsman 16th July 2009 more >>
Scotsman 16th July 2009 more >>
Germany
The recent accident at the Kr mmel nuclear power plant in northern Germany was more serious than was previously known. Anglea Merkel’s Christian Democrats are now finding themselves on the defensive with their plans to extend the life of German nuclear reactors.
Spiegel 13th July 2009 more >>
IPS 15th July 2009 more >>
Operators of an underground nuclear- waste dump in Germany are trying to shore up the interior faster than it’s being eroded by water leaks, buying time until they determine whether the site should be shut down.
Bloomberg 15th July 2009 more >>
Israel
It is the toughest decision that any Israeli leader has had to make in living memory. Ordering a pre-emptive attack against Iran’s nuclear sites would plunge the country into war with a powerful enemy. The region would be thrown into turmoil and the resources of Israel’s military would be stretched with no guarantee of success. An attack would isolate the country and jeopardise relations with America, Israel’s most important ally. Yet Israelis across the political spectrum are prepared to support a strike if it means preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb; something most experts believe is only months away.
Times 16th July 2009 more >>
Two Israeli missile class warships have sailed through the Suez Canal ten days after a submarine capable of launching a nuclear missile strike, in preparation for a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Times 16th July 2009 more >>
Pakistan
Osama bin Laden’s deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has attempted to halt al-Qaida’s plunging popularity in Pakistan by exploiting widely held fears that the US is plotting to seize the country’s nuclear bombs.
Guardian 16th July 2009 more >>
Disarmament
Gordon Brown is to set out a framework for reducing the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, ahead of international non-proliferation talks next year. The Road to 2010 plan is intended to set out a “credible roadmap towards disarmament” by all nuclear weapons states.
Ananova 16th July 2009 more >>
Letter from George Regan: The result of the Guardian/ICM poll that 54% want to scrap all UK nuclear weapons is heartening. In today’s hard economic times it seems folly to be spending billions on a nuclear weapons system that will probably, and hopefully, never be used. What use is nuclear deterrence to the British soldiers dying in Afghanistan? Cutting nuclear stockpiles is the sensible way to reduce worldwide tensions. It could be one of Gordon Brown’s greatest achievements if he leads the way on eliminating the ultimate weapon of mass destruction.
Guardian 15th July 2009 more >>
