Energy minister Richard Harrington has branded nuclear power detractors as “naïve and simplistic” as he unveiled a package of measures to support the sector. Delivering the keynote speech at the Nuclear 2017 conference, Harrington said it was “naïve and simplistic” to take the view that the plummeting cost of offshore wind power meant nuclear was no longer needed. He said that nuclear power would continue to play an “important role” in the mix of the UK’s energy sources. “There will be more pressure on nuclear from battery storage but we know that nuclear will be competitive,” he added. Harrington also announced that the government has kickstarted the process of identifying locations for the next generation of nuclear power stations and unveiled £44 million worth of research and development funding to reinvigorate the government’s stalled mini-atomic power programme. He said the government is launching a consultation exercise today on siting arrangements for the nuclear plants due to be deployed between 2026 and 2035 which will be the first step in drawing up a new national policy statement (NPS).
Utility Week 7th Dec 2017 read more »
The UK’s Nuclear Industry Council (NIC) has today published its proposals for a nuclear Sector Deal. The document follows the government’s publication last month of its Industrial Strategy white paper, which states the nuclear sector is “integral to increasing productivity and driving growth” in the UK.
World Nuclear News 7th Dec 2017 read more »
