New nuclear plants central to UK energy strategy
13 Nov 2009
New framework for a quicker transition to a low carbon economy. The NPSs major on a new nuclear programme based around ten sites assessed as potentially suitable for new build and a programme to demonstrate clean coal technology.
London - UK energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband has unveiled a draft National Policy Statements (NPSs) setting out a new framework for a quicker transition to a low carbon economy. The NPSs major on a new nuclear programme based around ten sites assessed as potentially suitable for new build and a programme to demonstrate clean coal technology.
Announcing the plan, Miliband said: “Change is needed for energy security. In a world where our North Sea reserves are declining, a more diverse low carbon energy mix is a more secure energy mix, less vulnerable to fluctuations in the availability of any one fuel. The current planning system is a barrier to this shift. It serves neither the interests of energy security, the interests of the low carbon transition, nor the interests of people living in areas where infrastructure may be built, for the planning process to take years to come to a decision.”
Under the plans outlined in the NPSs, decisions on proposals bigger than 50MW and 100MW for offshore wind, will be reduced from two years, to one year. The documents also list Bradwell, Braystones, Hartlepool, Heysham, Hinkley Point, Kirksanton, Oldbury, Sellafield, Sizewell and Wylfa as ten potential nuclear build sites. According to Miliband, one third of the future generating capacity must be consented to and build over the next 15 years to meet present climate change goals.
Ten of the 11 sites nominated by industry in March have been assessed as potentially suitable for new nuclear deployment by the end of 2025: Bradwell, Braystones, Hartlepool, Heysham, Hinkley Point, Kirksanton, Oldbury, Sellafield, Sizewell and Wylfa. Dungeness was nominated but has not been listed as the Government does not consider that potential environmental impacts at this site can be mitigated.
Following an independent study, three alternative sites were identified as worthy of further consideration: Druridge Bay in Northumberland, Kingsnorth in Kent and Owston Ferry in South Yorkshire. It was concluded that all of them have serious impediments, none of them is credible for deployment by the end of 2025, nor are they necessary for our plans, and they have not been listed in the draft Nuclear NPS.
A consultation on the Secretary of State’s proposed decision that two nuclear power station designs are Justified under the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004 was also launched. The benefits and health detriments of each of the two designs have been assessed and the secretary of state has considered whether they are justified according to EU legislation. The consultation seeks views on the proposed decision, and the evidence on which it is based.
The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) welcomed the NPSs, stating that they are a ‘key step’ forward to decarbonise the economy. Chief executive, Keith Parker, said: ‘This is a key step forward in the drive to de-carbonise our economy. A streamlined planning process will help the development of an array of low-carbon technologies – including nuclear - which in turn can do so much to combat climate change. Too often in the past, cumbersome and inefficient planning processes have delayed developments which the UK so desperately needs. The NPS on nuclear will ensure that major infrastructure projects can progress effectively, without any detriment to local planning inquiries.”
Chemical Industries Association chief executive, Steve Elliott also backed the Government’s support for the rapid deployment of new nuclear power in the UK: “We do not believe there is an alternative to nuclear power in the medium term. The Large Combustion Plant Directive requires the imminent closure of several coal fired generating plants and the new Industrial Emissions Directive threatens to reduce capacity further before alternative sources of energy are in place. Wind power is simply too intermittent and unpredictable and requires almost 1 for 1 back up by more reliable alternatives.”
“It is essential that we start work now on building new nuclear facilities if we are to avoid damaging energy shortages in the UK. I hope Government’s commitment to new build is not further compromised as delay will impact significantly on the UK’s credibility as a place to do business.”
On the trade union side, Gary Smith, GMB national eecretary for the energy sector cited a need to face up to the fact that we are foot-dragging in terms of getting on with building nuclear power stations, but warned that the economic framework to enable these power stations to be built is not yet in place.
“Any economic framework will require guaranteed pricing which will need either consumers to pay higher prices or the tax payers to subsidise the returns to the operators. We need to bite the bullet on this as quickly as possible and that in return for the subsidies/higher prices, the tax payer needs an equity stake in the companies investing in the stations.
“We need commitment from the companies that they will use the UK supply chain to source the components in these new stations. We also need cast iron assurances that proper apprentice training programmes will be part of the investment to ensure that the UK has the skills going forward to keep the lights on.”
