International Energy Agency Report
The world is on a course that will lead it “from crisis to crisis” unless governments act immediately to save energy and invest in nuclear and biofuels, the International Energy Agency warned yesterday. In an apocalyptic forecast, Claude Mandil, the agency’s executive director, said that our current path “may mean skyrocketing prices or more frequent blackouts; can mean more supply disruptions, more meteorological catastrophes – or all these at the same time”. The IEA said the oilfields on which Europe and the US had come to depend to reduce their reliance on the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would peak in the next five to seven years. These include those in Russia, the US, Mexico and Norway.
FT 8th November 2006
The International Energy Agency has for the first time urged countries to build more nuclear power stations to help reduce global warming.
Telegraph 8th Nov 2006
Leader: Like last week’s Stern review on climate change, the International Energy Agency is trying to use economic logic in its latest World Energy Outlook to spur the world into early action to avoid future catastrophe. Claude Mandil, the IEA director, yesterday described the world’s current energy trajectory of rising carbon emissions, geopolitical insecurity and energy poverty for 2bn people as “not only unsustainable but doomed to failure”. But such Cassandra-like warnings need backing up with some solid cost/benefit analysis of alternative policies. So the IEA has made a brave, though not wholly convincing, stab at providing this in two areas: nuclear power and energy efficiency. Even though nuclear power is an issue that still divides its member governments, the agency makes its biggest pitch ever for the building of more reactors. Its argument for low-carbon and relatively indigenous and reliable nuclear power should carry political weight in a week that has seen a widespread black-out in Europe and resumed negotiations to extend the Kyoto protocol on climate change. Less convincing is its claim that the economics has moved in favour of nuclear power, particularly given the agency also calls on governments to help nuclear power overcome its inherent handicap in liberalised electricitymarkets.
FT 8th November 2006
It is the year 2030. Global energy demand has jumped by 53 per cent. Emissions of greenhouse gases have soared by 55 per cent over today’s levels. The earth is heading for meltdown. That is the catastrophic scenario of continuing with “business as usual” depicted in the International Energy Agency’s annual World Economic Outlook. That is, unless policymakers and consumers can be persuaded to alter their behaviour radically.
Independent 8th Nov 2006
China’s rapid industrialisation and rising wealth means that it will become a bigger emitter of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, than the United States by 2010, an authoritative report says.
Independent 8th Nov 2006
The International Energy Agency is right to warn of the economic and environmental threats of a continued use of dirty fossil fuels, Friends of the Earth said today, but the organisation said there was no case for nuclear power to be part of the future energy mix.
Friends of the Earth Press Release 7th Nov 2006
Investing in nuclear power is a sure way to lose the battle against climate change.
Greenpeace International 7th Nov 2006
New nukes
BUSINESS participation in the debate over the future of the UK’s energy supply should be conducted “without prejudice” the head of the UK Atomic Energy Agency (UKAEA) Norman Harrison, below, told a meeting of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at the Chamber’s President’s Forum Dinner last night, the newly appointed chief operating officer of UKAEA, which is commercially focused on nuclear decommissioning and conducts half of its operations at Dounreay in Caithness, called for “serious planning” of the future energy mix to maintain security of supply.
Scotsman 8th Nov 2006
Stern Review
Article by Nicholas Stern: Tackling climate change effectively requires a global collaborative effort. This must be based on a common understanding of the magnitude of the challenge and of what is required to reduce the risks. It is therefore critical that the issue is widely discussed. I hope that my review on the economics of climate change will provide a building block for this important debate. Now, one week after publication, I am keen to respond to some of the questions that have already arisen and to explain some further thinking about what I believe to be an innovative new approach to looking at this problem.
FT 8th November 2006
The Stern Review can be downloaded at www.sternreview.org.uk
Nuclear submarines
It would be catastrophic for Britain’s skills base if the government does not give the go-ahead to a new class of nuclear submarines, the head of defence firm BAE Systems submarines unit said on Tuesday.
Scotsman 8th Nov 2006
SEVERE shortages of qualified scientists, engineers and skilled technical workers could jeopardise Britain’s ability to build a new generation of nuclear submarines, ministers were warned yesterday. Leading defence companies also said the government’s plans to construct a new wave of civilian nuclear power plants could draw scarce scientists away from the military sector, further threatening any replacement for the Trident submarine system.
Scotsman 8th Nov 2006
Half the PhD students needed to help to design Britain’s next generation of nuclear submarines are foreign and prohibited from employment in significant defence work for security reasons, MPs were told.
Times 8th Nov 2006
China
Electricité de France (EdF) has signed cooperation agreements with China Datang Corp (CDC) and China Guangdong National Power Co (CGNPC) covering power developments in the country, including nuclear generation. The agreement, with CGNPC extends the existing cooperation between the two partners to the nuclear generation sector, where EdF remains poised to invest.
Nuclear Engineering International 8th Nov 2006
China says it has reached an agreement with the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, to co-operate on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
BBC 8th Nov 2006
British Energy
UK nuclear generator British Energy has submitted a policy framework document as part of a government consultation setting out proposals to avoid unnecessary duplication in the various planning consent, licensing, and other authorisation processes for a programme of new nuclear power stations. In the statement British Energy says it believes it is fundamental the UK adopts accepted international reactor designs on safety and economic grounds, which, it says should allow new nuclear build to happen early enough to help the UK to meet its security-of-supply demands.
Nuclear Engineering International 8th Nov 2006
The British government must make a clear and unambigous call for a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK before the private sector commits to spending billions of pounds on building them, generators say. British Energy which operates most of the UK’s existing nuclear power plants, and Electricite de France which is interested in building new ones, want the government to make a much stronger case for new nuclear power when it publishes its energy White Paper next year, before they commit themselves.
Reuters 7th Nov 2006
Nuclear Weapons
CAMPAIGNERS from Lancaster were among a group of anti-nuclear protestors arrested at a submarine base in Scotland.
Morecambe Visitor 8th Nov 2006
Renewables
HOUSEHOLDERS are to be handed the freedom to put up wind turbines and solar panels without planning permission in a move which could transform the skyline of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Evening News 8th November 2006
Report on Decentralised Energy for Edinburgh launched by Greenpeace, WWF and City of Edinburgh Council.
Greenpeace Press Release 8th Nov 2006
Powering Edinburgh Report
Nuclear Waste
An exhibition looking at how agencies can get rid of nuclear waste has opened at Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum. Experts will look at the issue in a talk and discussion on the decommissioning of Trawsfynydd on Sunday at 3pm.
South Wales Evening Post 7th Nov 2006
Politics
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary has brought some much needed reality to the sandal-wearing Cameron tree-huggers by denouncing those who oppose nuclear-power as eco nuts.
UKIP Weblog 7th Nov 2006
Independent 7th Nov 2006
North Korea
Tony Blair has called for the international community to present a united front against North Korea’s nuclear programme but predicted difficulties in successfully disarming the Pyongyang regime.
Times 8th Nov 2006
