New Nukes
There is still plenty to do to smooth the path for nuclear new-build, EDF Energy’s Paul Spence tells Janet Wood. The coming year is crucial for plans for nuclear new-build in the UK, says Paul Spence, EDF Energy strategy and regulation director. He says that to meet the company’s aim to bring the first of two sets of twin reactors, at Hinkley Point and Sizewell, on stream by 2018, “2010-11 is the really critical period for us to have the pieces of the jigsaw in place”. The jigsaw is a complex one, comprising issues around finance, planning, market, staffing and the supply chain, but so far Spence says the coalition government has supported the project. But will a carbon floor price be enough to make new nuclear power plants financeable? Spence says it may not be. It depends on the design of the electricity market. He says there is no income to be derived from a carbon floor price, “the only revenue is electricity price”.
Utility Week 28th Sept 2010 more >>
We’ve discussed before on Nuclear Reaction the nuclear industry’s attempts to greenwash nuclear power by rebranding it ‘clean’. It’s a description of this most contaminating of energy sources that nuclear boosters are pushing more and more in the debate about the future of nuclear power. Another term we’re starting to see more and more of is ‘emission free’, as in ‘nuclear power is an emission free energy source’. Take a look at this infographic where the Nuclear Energy Institute (‘the policy organization for the nuclear technologies industry’) portrays nuclear power as such. Even institutions like the BBC have bought the industry spin.
Greenpeace Nuclear Reaction 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Radwaste
The Government will publish the results of a basic geological study of West Cumbria at the next Partnership meeting at the Greenhill Hotel in Wigton on Thursday 28th October. The study by the British Geological Survey will show how much of Copeland and Allerdale, and up to 5 kilometres offshore, would definitely be unsuitable for a geological disposal facility.
West Cumbria MRWS Press Release 6th October 2010 more >>
French utility EDF wants to get involved in the planned construction of an underground nuclear waste site in France as it is worried costs are getting out of hand, a French newspaper reported on Wednesday. According to France’s National Radioactive Waste Management Agency, EDF wants to help manage construction of the project, which some estimate could cost as much as 35 million euros.
Reuters 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Oldbury
THE company behind plans for a new nuclear power station at Shepperdine, near Oldbury, has been defending its proposals this week. Technical experts from Horizon, a joint venture between E.ON and RWE npower, were at Oldbury Memorial Hall on Monday to listen to people’s concerns about the station which is due to be operational by 2025. The company has not yet chosen the type of nuclear reactor it will install but recently announced it favours four hybrid cooling towers instead of much taller natural draught towers. The Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy (SANE) group were at the drop-in event handing out leaflets against new nuclear power. Chairman Reg Illingworth said: “We don’t like the position Horizon is in. The government has given the power and authority to the people who are in control of the development and we want to make sure people are getting a balanced view of what is going on.”
Thornbury Gazette 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Wylfa
AN investigation is underway after a fire at Wylfa power station. The fire broke out in the turbine hall last Thursday but details were only released yesterday. It was caused by an overheated electrical contactor in a lighting control panel, which was “quickly isolated” by onsite fire crews. Plant operators Magnox North said there was no danger to staff, the public or the environment.
Daily Post 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Hinkley
PROTESTORS wearing badger masks chained themselves to the entrance of Hinkley Point B power station near Burnham on Monday.
This is the West Country 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Utility Exchange 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Dalgety Bay
THE Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) will be monitoring Torry Bay after concerns were raised over radioactive contamination at the beach.
Dunfermline Press 5th Oct 2010 more >>
Sellafield
UNIONS are warning that more job cuts are on the cards at Sellafield, where around 800 workers have already been made redundant.
Whitehaven News 6th Oct 2010 more >>
BABCOCK construction workers, who maintain radiation and contamination monitoring machines at Sellafield, are taking industrial action. And it could escalate into a strike on the site next week. Forty-one workers began an overtime ban and work-to-rule on Monday. The Unite members are taking the action after rejecting a pay offer. The union has given notice of a strike next Tuesday and Wednesday unless the dispute is resolved.
Whitehaven News 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Cumbria
CHRIS Whiteside, Copeland’s defeated Tory candidate at the last general election, is impressed by the coalition government’s apparent stance in favour of nuclear. At the Conservative Party’s conference in Birmingham this week, Mr Whiteside attended a Nuclear Industry Association Fringe meeting where nuclear industry representatives were also present along with Lord Marland, whose remit includes the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. “There does seem to be an emerging clear cross-party consensus in favour of nuclear new build and taking action for a long-term solution on nuclear waste.”
Whitehaven News 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Companies
GDF Suez is close to finalising the terms of a reverse takeover of International Power that could trigger a £1.4 billion cash payout for shareholders in the British group.
Times 7th Oct 2010 more >>
Scotland
Scotland’s first national target to improve energy efficiency was unveiled today. Local councils are also to be given £10 million in grants to offer free insulation measures and provide energy saving advice to up to 100,000 households. Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Action Plan includes a headline target to reduce total energy consumption by 12 per cent by 2020.
Scottish Government 6th Oct 2010 more >>
YouTube 6th Oct 2010 more >>
An energy-efficiency plan launched by the Scottish Government has been branded unambitious and shamefully delayed. Opposition parties were united in their criticism of the 10 million grants announced yesterday by First Minister Alex Salmond to councils to offer free insulation and provide energy savings advice to 100,000 households. Mr Salmond said it would help thousands of families to cut their fuel bills by an average of 50 a year. He said the plan, which includes a target of reducing total energy consumption by 12% by 2020, reaffirmed the Governments ambitious energy efficiency and microgeneration agenda. But the scheme was attacked by opposition MSPs. Labour energy spokesman Lewis Macdonald said it was too little, too late.
Herald 7th Oct 2010 more >>
Association for the Conservation of Energy (Ace) spokesman Chas Booth said it was important that “a step-change in funding for energy efficiency was delivered in this Autumn’s Scottish budget.” “If Alex Salmond is serious about tackling wasted energy, he must offer more than a recycled announcement of money agreed in last year’s budget negotiations,” he said.
BBC 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Europe – 100% Renewable?
Deploying all current low-carbon technologies to their maximum potential could see Europe cut carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by 2050. That was a conclusion of the European Climate Foundation’s (ECF’s) Roadmap 2050 report. A major boost in the production of low carbon electricity through a mix of nuclear, carbon-capture fossil (CCS) and renewables would be the most significant step, followed by the introduction of this power to displace fossil fuels in buildings and transport. Dr Allott’s (of WWF) key point at the launch event for the Roadmap 2050 was that the report confirmed that a 100% renewables future for Europe was achievable, affordable and offered levels of system stability as high as today’s power networks. He made clear that, given wider concerns on the sustainability and costs of nuclear power and carbon capture and storage, WWF strongly favours the 100% renewables future.
World Nuclear News 6th Oct 2010 more >>
Energy Efficiency
Tesco, B&Q and M&S among companies that could sell loft insulation and home energy improvements as part of the coalition’s flagship energy efficiency programme.
Guardian 7th Oct 2010 more >>
Trident
The Prime Minister made a cast-iron pledge yesterday to renew the Trident nuclear deterrent, promising: ‘I will take no risks with Britain’s security.’
Mr Cameron called for the public to back the Armed Forces and vowed that the Government will do the same. He risked angering Liberal Democrat coalition partners with an emphatic defence of the need to renew the submarine-launched deterrent.
Daily Mail 7th Oct 2010 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
Next month NATO members meet in Lisbon to agree on a new Strategic Concept. Rebecca Johnson argues that if we treated nuclear weapons as the previous century’s problem to be disposed of, instead of fetishizing them as instruments of high strategic value, we would stand a far better chance of maintaining global security.
Open Democracy 6th Oct 2010 more >>
North Korea
North Korea’s nuclear threat has reached an “alarming level” and the country is now trying to miniaturise weapons to improve their mobility and impact, a South Korean government official has said.
Scotsman 7th Oct 2010 more >>
Independent 7th Oct 2010 more >>
Russia
Russia is set to have foreign contracts for the supply of nuclear fuel and uranium enrichment services worth $20 billion by the end of 2010, Sergey Kiriyenko, director general of Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom, has promised prime minister Vladimir Putin.
World Nuclear News 6th Oct 2010 more >>
