Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

kristopher

(29,798 posts)
Thu Feb 14, 2013, 12:29 PM Feb 2013

New Nuclear Power In The UK Looking Increasingly Unlikely

New Nuclear Power In The UK Looking Increasingly Unlikely
February 14, 2013

The UK government has been planning the development of a ‘next generation’ of nuclear power plants in the region for some time, but with the price of renewables falling quickly and the costs of nuclear rising, it is looking increasingly likely that the plans will have to be scrapped. There are also other important issues with new nuclear; such as the unresolved issue of nuclear waste, and its dependence on further subsidies, which will be illegal under European Union rules.

Investors have been steadily dropping out of plans. The British utility company Centrica is just the latest to pull out of the program. This week it wrote off £200 million ($315 million) while doing so, following on the heels of previously involved German utilities. In order for the program to still go forward, the government would need to break “two important electoral pledges and may face legal challenges that it intends to breach European Union subsidy rules in guaranteeing a minimum price for nuclear power,” Climate Central writes.

...

“Centrica’s chief executive, Sam Laidlaw, said the company had pulled out because the project was more costly and extended further into the future than had been planned four years ago. Together with its partner, the French government-owned EDF, Centrica has spent close to £1 billion ($1.5B) on the project and is now writing off its 20 percent share of £200 million ($315M), concentrating instead on renewables and natural gas for electricity generation.”

Essentially, renewable clean energy technologies are a better choice than nuclear in every way. They are cheaper, faster to build, don’t create radioactive waste, aren’t as susceptible to environmental disasters, don’t require the same level of safety measures, and have far more public support. At current rates of growth, renewables are predicted to generate more electricity in the UK than nuclear by 2018, and expected to power 1 in every 10 homes in the UK by 2015...

Read more at http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/14/new-nuclear-power-in-the-uk-looking-increasingly-unlikely/#UvYxihjvXbhkiXGM.99
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
New Nuclear Power In The UK Looking Increasingly Unlikely (Original Post) kristopher Feb 2013 OP
So says world-renowned expert "Nathan" FBaggins Feb 2013 #1
Your descent into Hannity level discussion is noted. NT kristopher Feb 2013 #2

FBaggins

(26,748 posts)
1. So says world-renowned expert "Nathan"
Thu Feb 14, 2013, 01:23 PM
Feb 2013

Really just wishful thinking on his part.

Didn't you want to post the story about Westinghouse laying off hundreds of people worldwide due to slower than expected nuclear growth? You're really off your game from so much time away.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»New Nuclear Power In The ...