As the government’s nuclear programme falls apart and as rising seas threaten nuclear plants, Andy Blowers asks the question in the February 2019 edition of Regional Life magazine. Over the past few months there have been two global developments which may, sooner or later, determine the fate of the new nuclear power station at Bradwell. One is the problem of securing investment for high cost, long term projects which involve technological and financial risk. The other is the incontestable evidence of accelerating global warming and the risks it poses to nuclear plant, especially those in coastal locations. In the circumstances of rising costs and rising sea levels can the Bradwell project survive or is it ultimately doomed? If it is ever built the power station would produce electricity until the end of the century but, thereafter, the wastes would remain on site for an indeterminate period. It is assumed, at some point, in the latter part of the next century, the wastes will be carted off to a repository. By that time the site and its defences would be utterly overwhelmed. It is really like throwing loads of dangerous rubbish into a bathtub that eventually overflows. And, as global warming wreaks havoc on our coastline, it will not be possible to turn off the tap. It may be the developer has already discovered through recent investigations that the site is unsuitable. Perhaps, the regulators will conclude that the project is unsafe at such a site. Or, the Government might now, at the eleventh hour, strike Bradwell from its list.
BANNG 13th Feb 2019 read more »
