Nuclear

The UK Government has taken the first steps towards a generation of new nuclear power stations in the country with the launch today of a consultation on plans from the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA).

Under European Law, the designs of any potential new nuclear power stations must be ‘justified’ to determine whether the potential benefits outweigh any detrimental health effects.

The consultation document is considering four designs of pressurised water reactor – the AP1000 from Westinghouse Electric Company, the EPR from AREVA, the ACR from Atomic Energy of Canada and the ESBWR from GE-Hitachi.

The move underlines the Government’s support for new nuclear power in the UK, says Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Mike O’Brien.

“Justification is just one step on the way to new nuclear. At the same time it gives people the opportunity to have their say on the benefits and detriments of the practices involved,” he said.

The consultation document on the nuclear power station designs is open for comment until 25 March 2009. The comments will then be collated before an assessment is published later in the year.

A further public consultation is planned for next winter before the ultimate decision on the plans comes before the Secretary of State in January 2010.

For further information:
www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/energy/sources/nuclear/consultations/open/page44523.html
www.niauk.org/