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October 25, 2005
Nuclear option at least 20 years away
BRITAIN will not benefit from a new fleet of nuclear power stations until 2025 at the earliest, even if the decision to begin building plants is taken next year. Experts agree that each new power station will take at least ten years to build. Therefore to construct ten, even at a rate of one per year, would require a 20-year building programme.
Tony Blair has said that the Government will make a final decision on the nuclear issue next year and ministers appear to be softening their stance on the need for nuclear. Companies that want to get involved in the expected multibillion-pound business are suggesting that the Government should follow America’s lead and introduce legislation to prevent new power stations being delayed during planning. The United States has changed its planning process to speed up construction of nuclear power stations and expects to cut the time from 15 years to seven. The nuclear industry has told ministers that they should consider following next year’s energy White Paper with a Bill to shorten the inquiry process. The public inquiry process can be very costly and drawn out. The Heathrow Terminal Five inquiry took ten to twelve years.
There are already fears that terrorism will be used as an excuse to restrict the public's access to information about nuclear safety at a public inquiry.
Posted by peter at October 25, 2005 10:07 AM