Sponsored by Hitachi: An energy crisis has been brewing in the UK for years. In the face of exponential population growth, a large proportion of older oil, gas and nuclear power stations have been closed. By 2030, 35pc of our current energy capacity will no longer exist, and the Government estimates that energy reforms will cost up to £110 billion over the coming years. So, amid dwindling supplies and growing demand, it’s estimated that an extra 60GW of energy will need to be generated to break even. The issue is inescapable; so how do we redesign and renew our energy supplies so they are fit for the 21st century? While the goal may be to provide low-carbon, sustainable, and affordable energy, the logistics of this have proved to be quite a challenge. Nuclear energy, which already delivers around 20pc of the UK’s electricity supply, has recently garnered a large amount of interest. Japanese engineering giant Hitachi is one company leading the way in this area; in 2012 it acquired UK-based energy business Horizon Nuclear Power, with a view to bringing their advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) technology to a new market. This reactor is already in operation in four power plants across Japan. Not a utility, but an equipment provider, Hitachi has been clear throughout that it will not remain the sole owner of Horizon long-term. Indeed, their European business focuses on delivering ABWRs as a contractor to Horizon – which operates under separate management structures.
Telegraph 2nd Aug 2017 read more »
Letter Michael Miller: Government subsidies are given for a whole host of enterprises, encompassing not only renewable electricity generation but also fossil fuels, agriculture and industry. We should also remember that nuclear power will itself be subsidised from electricity bills. One need only look at the National Grid status website to see how wind and solar power are now contributing a significant percentage of UK power. Surely this is the way forward if we want to avoid returning to a reliance on coal power, or becoming dependent on imported gas.
Telegraph 2nd Aug 2017 read more »
