Nuclear Energy - Reactors

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Nuclear Energy - New Build Nuclear Reactors

The Government’s White Paper ‘Meeting the Energy Challenge - A White Paper on Nuclear Power’ (January 2008) sets out the decision they took in response to the consultation on nuclear power. It also examines the key concerns that emerged through the different strands of the consultation: and it explains how they have addressed the issues in reaching their conclusion on nuclear power.

 

Following this consultation the white paper detailed the Government’s position. In summary the UK Government believes nuclear power should be able to play a part in the UK’s future low-carbon economy. The Government has carefully re-examined the impact of excluding nuclear power from the UK’s future energy mix and they concluded that not having nuclear as an option would increase the costs of delivering these goals and increase the risks of failing to meet the national targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and enhancing energy security.

 

The Government believes: “New nuclear power stations should have a role to play in this country’s future energy mix alongside other low carbon sources; that it would be in the public interest to allow energy companies the option of investing in new nuclear power stations; and that the Government should take active steps to facilitate this”.

 

 

These steps will include the Government taking forward regulatory processes and other steps, as follows:

• Undertaking a Strategic Siting Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment
• Meeting the requirements of European law that new nuclear practices should be required to demonstrate that their benefits outweigh any health detriments (the “Justification” process)
• Ensuring that the regulators and particularly the NII are adequately equipped to review new build proposals through a process of Generic Design Assessment
• Working to strengthen the EU Emissions Trading Scheme so that investors have confidence in a continuing carbon market when making decisions.
• Making use of the provisions of the Planning Bill to ensure that nuclear development projects are treated like other critical infrastructure projects and are dealt with effectively through the use of a National Policy Statement
• Bringing forward legislation to ensure that the framework for funding decommissioning and waste management liabilities is clear and properly ensures that each nuclear operator meets its costs

 

In addition, to give greater confidence to the public and to investors, the Government is going to work with the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) to explore ways of further enhancing the transparency and efficiency of the regulatory regime in dealing with the challenges of new build.

Energy Coast Master Plan Vision

West Cumbria has major nuclear assets and internationally competitive expertise and skills in a range of related activities, including environmental remediation, engineering and decommissioning. Employment in Research and Development is double the regional average. These strengths and assets are of national and international importance. The UK’s energy, environmental and economic policy now involves a unified approach to the twin challenges of energy security and climate change.

 

Maintaining a sustainable national economy requires integrated answers to both. This approach will also provide major business opportunities for UK firms. It will also enable the UK to make an important contribution to European energy policy. West Cumbria can provide a unique contribution to the UK’s short and long term policy goals, transforming its own economy in the process.

 

Our Vision for West Cumbria is based on this unique relationship between local economic assets and transformation and national policy priorities.

 

West Cumbrian partners are committed to the task of continuing the transformation of our economy and communities. We have met the challenge set for us by Government to agree a clear vision for the future of West Cumbria and to take long-term decisions in the context of limited resources. Resources in the sub-region will be targeted to achieve this vision and we seek a relatively small amount of additional investment from Government in return for the contribution that only this place can make to the UK’s energy and environmental goals.

 

By 2027 West Cumbria will be a confident place that prides itself on its strong economy providing opportunities for all and offering a lifestyle of choice. It will: “Be globally recognised as a leading nuclear, energy, environment and related technology business cluster, building on its nuclear assets and its technology and research” strengths”