Fast-Track UK Nuclear Power Plant Scheme

Details emerged on November 9th 2009 of a fast-track scheme for new wind farm and nuclear power sites in the UK.  Simultaneously, ten locations that would be suitable for new nuclear reactors were identified by Ed Miliband – the British Energy and Climate Change Secretary – who highlighted how these plants would partly aid the country’s drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Britain’s present array of nuclear reactors generated approximately one-fifth of the country’s electricity consumed between April and June 2009.  Closure, however, is earmarked for nearly all of them over the coming decade-and-a-half. 

New Nuclear Power

The intricate planning aspect involved in constructing new nuclear power facilities has slowed down historic attempts to build them.  For example, Sizewell – a reactor in East Anglia – went up only after a planning process that lasted six years.

Under the new terms, planning decisions on new plants with capacities greater than 50 MW (for land-based sites) or 100 MW (offshore wind farms) will be limited to 12 months. 

“The current planning system is a barrier to this [low carbon] shift”, the climate secretary stated, announcing the proposed new measure.  “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.”

Nuclear Power Plant Development

Among the 10 new sites earmarked for nuclear power plant development are Kirksanton in the North of England and Sizewell, where French energy firm EDF’s new reactors have been approved.  This, said Vincent de Rivaz – the firm’s chief executive – “...means we can prepare to take the next steps in our plan for a multi-billion pound investment in the UK”. 

"It is in the public interest for the UK to build at least 15 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity which would be sufficient to meet at least 30 percent of our electricity demand by 2030”, he added.

Nuclear Power Capacity

Britain’s overall nuclear power capacity presently stands at approximately 11 Gigawatts.  Current plans see the first of the EDF reactors being activated by 2017, but this – according to the firm – is dependent on the “right investment framework being in place.”

The new nuclear plant sites announcement coincided with the unveiling of plans to finance the development of CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technologies for existing fossil fuel plants in the UK. 

See also:

First UK Carbon Capture and Storage Technology Trial

Four New Coal Plants with CCS Technology for Britain