The French generating company, EdF, which owns London Electricity, has offered to build ten new nuclear power stations, provided that the price of the electricity generated is guaranteed for years to come and there is a fast track the licensing and planning process for any new plants. [2]

EdF and Eon, the German nuclear company that owns Powergen, could join forces with RWE, the German owners of nPower, to build new reactors in Britain. A deal might involve the acquisition of all or part of the 65% of British Energy's equity that is likely to be sold by the UK government. The utilities think that new reactors might be more acceptable if built under the aegis of a British company. Under the terms of its restructuring agreement BE cannot pursue new nuclear acquisitions for the next four years, but would be free of these in time for any new build applications.

Mike Parker, the Chief Executive of BNFL, says the energy review, as well as the waste and licensing processes, must result in firm government and public support for new nuclear construction: "An amber light is not enough. Only a green light" can provide the climate needed to support launching a new reactor project. "Otherwise investors will sidestep the UK." [3]

[1] Submissions to the consultation should eventually be available on the DTI website, but at the time of writing only those submitted in January and February were available.

[2] Channel 4 News 12th April 2006

[3] Nucleonics Week 6th April 2006 Vol. 47 No. 14