New Nukes
Britain’s “big six” energy companies will this week warn Chris Huhne, secretary of state for energy, that the government’s proposed “floor price” for carbon emission permits is not enough of an incentive for them to invest in new nuclear power stations. Executives from the companies, including Centrica, EDF Energy and Scottish Power, now owned by Iberdrola, are due to make their views clear at a dinner with Mr Huhne on Wednesday. The industry has reached a consensus position with all companies agreeing that some form of additional incentive is required. Options range from a feed-in tariff to guarantee the price for low-carbon electricity to payments to companies as reward for having available generation capacity. Two consultations – one on the carbon price floor and another on electricity market reform – are expected later this autumn. Mr Beckers said that RWE npower would make its supplier decision in the first quarter of next year and if there was “uncertainty still” it would “be very difficult”. His comments echo those of Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of EDF Energy, which owns 80 per cent of British Energy, who called last week for “a timely consultation on how the government will implement its stated policy to provide a carbon price floor”. “We also need progress on reform of the electricity market where EDF Energy has proposed low carbon capacity payments to support security of supply.
FT 25th Oct 2010 more >>
The CBI welcomed the statement on nuclear power but still fears the localism agenda could create difficulties in gaining planning permission for energy and housing projects. The CBI’s concerns are underlined by a growth plan issued by the EEF manufacturers’ federation, which urges the government to create a framework to support private sector investment
FT 25th Oct 2010 more >>
Dungeness
The final Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) report for Dungeness confirms that adverse effects on the integrity of three European Sites cannot be ruled out (Dungeness Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Dungeness to Pett Level Special Protection Area (SPA) and the Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay proposed Ramsar site) with regards to impacts on water resources and quality, air quality, habitat and species loss and fragmentation/coastal squeeze and disturbance (noise, light and visual). Development at Dungeness would require direct land take from the SAC. It is still considered that adverse effects related to habitat loss (at the Dungeness SAC) could not be mitigated.
Hawkinge Gazette 20th Oct 2010 more >>
Spending Cuts
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP has published a report identifying well over £100 billion of potential savings from nuclear arms projects and subsidies to the nuclear power industry. In the report Britain’s first Green MP argues that cancelling the Trident renewal will save over £100 billion, while axing proposed new nuclear power stations will save the UK taxpayer around £8 billion in nuclear waste costs. The report argues that “Rather than callously cutting to the bone the UK’s vital social infrastructure the Chancellor should axe the renewal of Trident, which would save £100bn. If he also scraps plans for the proposed eight new nuclear power stations, he’ll save the UK something like £8bn in waste disposal subsidies.
News on news 24th Oct 2010 more >>
Yucca
If Harry Reid is no longer Senate majority leader after the election, Nevada will be in a much weaker position to stop the federal government from building the Yucca Mountain high-level nuclear waste dump, the executive director of the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects contends.
Reno Gazette Journal 24th Oct 2010 more >>
India
India is ready to seal a civilian nuclear deal and boost trade ties with Japan, as New Delhi looks to prove its friendship in the wake of Tokyo’s bitter territorial spat with Beijing.
Telegraph 25th Oct 2010 more >>
Iran
Iran has announced it has substantially increased its enriched uranium stockpile, only a month ahead of scheduled negotiations with global powers on its controversial nuclear programme.
Telegraph 25th Oct 2010 more >>
Submarines
A nuclear-powered submarine which was grounded off the isle of Skye is now returning to its base at Faslane, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
BBC 24th Oct 2010 more >>
Guardian 25th Oct 2010 more >>
A nuclear-powered submarine may have run aground on a shingle bank because the charts used by its crew were out of date.
Indeperndent 25th Oct 2010 more >>
Letter Kathleen Sullivan: According to Trident Ploughshares, one Trident submarine commands enough fire power to destroy every major city in the northern hemisphere. That one should be hung up on a sand bar off the Isle of Skye is more than disconcerting. The UK could lead the world in disarming these illogical, fallible and immoral instruments of extinction. Think of how many social programmes could be saved if the Trident fleet were put out to pasture. Child benefits, the NHS, education, housing and help for the infirm and disabled could all greatly benefit from scrapping the UK nuclear arsenal.
Guardian 25th Oct 2010 more >>
The Akula class vessel is playing a tense game of cat and mouse. It vanished after being spotted in the North Sea earlier this week – when it was thought to be tracking a Royal Navy Trident submarine. The alert is embarrassing for the Government as it exposes the shocking gap in British capabilities left by the defence cuts.
MOD Oracle 24th Oct 2010 more >>
District Heating
Shared energy schemes could cut consumers’ bills and boost Scotland’s engineering sector, researchers said today.
Scientists at the Universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde looking at how a shared energy project could be implemented in Scotland said investing in European-style community heating could help city dwellers cut consumption and support local jobs. Researchers are to draw on the experience of other European cities, and of pioneering schemes in Aberdeen and Sheffield. Householders tapping into district heating programmes in Aberdeen have reported combined electricity and heating bills of less than £400 per year, researchers said. Professor Jan Webb, from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science, who will direct the project, said: “Huge quantities of heat produced in and near cities are wasted. “Investing in energy efficiency and district heating could not only reduce costs and tackle fuel poverty but it could also support local jobs in engineering, operation and maintenance.”
Scotsman 25th Oct 2010 more >>
