[ RadSafe ] Nuc Net -First Concrete Could Be Poured For UK New-Build In 2012

[Fred Dawson]

First Concrete Could Be Poured For UK New-Build In 2012, Conference Hears

http://www.worldnuclear.org/_news_database/rss_detail_features.cfm?objID=082CF8BA-EB16-4579-928D76EF45C5E6E8

12 Feb (NucNet): First concrete could be poured for a new nuclear unit in
the UK in 2012, with commissioning of the country's first new-build unit in
2017, an industry representative has told a conference in Milan, Italy.

12 Feb (NucNet): First concrete could be poured for a new nuclear unit in
the UK in 2012, with commissioning of the country's first new-build unit in
2017, an industry representative has told a conference in Milan, Italy.

But he said the nuclear energy industry needs a "strong and clear" statement
of need from the government to make sure potential new-build applications do
not get delayed during the local planning process.

Toby Allen, energy policy manager at EDF Energy, told the PIME 2007
conference that the best sites for possible new build are alongside existing
ones, but that sites must be identified early. He also said for new build to
push ahead there needs to be a policy on waste management.

The country has announced plans to manage its high-level nuclear waste
through deep geological disposal, with public consultation on the plan and
the process of site selection to begin in 2007. Decisions on the siting
process could be taken in 2007 or 2008.

The nuclear industry also needs confidence in the longer-term carbon market,
with a global carbon market as proposed in the recent Stern Review into
climate change. A carbon pricing framework would be designed to encourage
use of non-carbon electricity sources including nuclear.

Peter McDonald of the Department of Trade and Industry told the conference
the planning process in the UK could be used to "obfuscate and delay". He
said a planning White Paper would be issued alongside an energy White Paper
next month. Admitting there had been "inefficiencies in the past", Mr
McDonald said the White Papers would deal with issues affecting potential
new-build such as pre-licensing and strategic site assessments.

He said the government's own timetable was to confirm the pre-licensing and
planning processes by 2013.

For the industry, just having a timetable would be a step forward, said the
Nuclear Industry Association's Simon James. "The government's statement of
need must be unambiguous so opponents to nuclear cannot pick holes in it."


Fred Dawson

http://freds-take-on-the-world.blogspot.com/