New Nukes
Centrica: Building projects such as new nuclear power stations takes years, with investment decisions required by 2011 if the first one is to be completed by 2017. If we are to make the substantial investments required, we need some certainty now over future carbon prices. Yet carbon prices are driven by the lower EU emissions targets rather than the UK’s objectives, and there is very limited liquidity in forward carbon markets. Therefore, while the EU emissions trading scheme should remain the cornerstone of our strategy and will eventually deliver what we need, in the shorter term we may require some underpinning of the UK carbon price while EU policy catches up.
Daily Mail 21st Dec 2009 more >>
The chairwoman of CND (Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament) and an expert from the Nuclear Industry Association will debate the nuclear power issue at a meeting next month. Billed as the Great Nuclear Power Debate, the CND’s Dr Kate Hudson will speak against the Government’s plan to expand its nuclear programme.
Wandsworth Guardian 20th Dec 2009 more >>
Nuclear Desalination
As the global population expands, demand for water for agriculture and personal use will increase dramatically, but there could be a solution that will produce clean drinking water and help reduce carbon emissions as well. That process is nuclear desalination.
Telegraph 21st Dec 2009 more >>
Iran
Giving developing countries access to nuclear power and reallocating some of the defence budget of the US and other major military powers is the best way to avoid a global environmental crisis, according to Iran’s president.
Edie 20th Dec 2009 more >>
Sweden
The Swedish government announced a sudden U-turn in energy policy. Not only should the country’s 10 nuclear power stations stay open, officials said, but the plants should be allowed to buy new reactors to replace the old ones if necessary. Enabling legislation is to be introduced in the Swedish parliament within months, part of a remarkable renaissance underway across Europe for a technology that was unloved and criticized for years.
LA Times 20th Dec 2009 more >>
Climate
Three years ago, eight new coal power stations were being planned, and the third runway at Heathrow was all but inevitable. A few thousand heroic young people took direct action against them. Now all the new coal power stations have been cancelled, and the third runway is dead in the water. Here in the fifth largest economy in the world, they have stopped coal and airport expansion. Politicians felt the heat. That was done by a few thousand people. Imagine what tens or hundreds of thousands could do. There need to be parallel movements to this in every country on earth (and a much bigger one in Britain). Copenhagen had one value, and one value alone. It has shown us that if we don’t act in our own self-defence now, nobody else will.
Independent 21st Dec 2009 more >>
Jonathan Porritt: There is no reassuring “global deal” to provide cover for some of the more controversial and unpopular policies that the Government is now bringing forward on air passenger duty, for instance, or zero-carbon housing. Peter Mandelson’s new-found enthusiasm for a “green industrial revolution” might just slip down that old fixer’s list of things that really matter in a pre-election period. But there’s no political upside in any of that for David Cameron. Indeed, I suspect that the fallout will prove to be more problematic for Mr Cameron than for Mr Brown. It will give succour to that weird bunch of “grandees” (David Davis, Peter Lilley, Lord Lawson of Blaby et al) who have become increasingly critical of Mr Cameron’s intelligent leadership on climate change.
Times 21st Dec 2009 more >>
Renewables
Compared to Denmark, though Wales and the UK has a way to go, despite a relatively flat few years for the Danish wind sector. The real difference between Wales and Denmark though is not the 500 or so turbines on and offshore in Wales, or the 5,000 currently working in Denmark, but who owns them, and who pockets the profit.
BBC 21st Dec 2009 more >>
A rapidly-growing Aberdeen company specialising in the construction of offshore wind farms has secured £42 million of investment to fund more growth, a sign of emerging confidence that they are on the threshold of a boom.
Times 21st Dec 2009 more >>
