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UK nuclear build requires taxpayer rescue but Govt backs fracking, nuclear power
UK nuclear build requires taxpayer rescue -Citi
LONDON | Tue May 8, 2012 12:31pm EDT
May 8 (Reuters) - Britain's aim to expand its fleet of nuclear plants by 2025 will take place only if the taxpayer absorbs the burden of spiralling construction costs, allowing private companies to invest in the sector, a senior analyst said.
Nuclear energy policy in Britain faces major setbacks following reports that the cost of replacing ageing reactors increased dramatically in the past year, making power produced from new plants not affordable without government help.
..."If the latest cost figures are true, new nuclear power plants in the UK are not commercially viable," Citi analyst Peter Atherton told Reuters.
Based on the new figures, nuclear would be the most expensive form of electricity generation, exceeding even offshore wind, he said...
LONDON | Tue May 8, 2012 12:31pm EDT
May 8 (Reuters) - Britain's aim to expand its fleet of nuclear plants by 2025 will take place only if the taxpayer absorbs the burden of spiralling construction costs, allowing private companies to invest in the sector, a senior analyst said.
Nuclear energy policy in Britain faces major setbacks following reports that the cost of replacing ageing reactors increased dramatically in the past year, making power produced from new plants not affordable without government help.
..."If the latest cost figures are true, new nuclear power plants in the UK are not commercially viable," Citi analyst Peter Atherton told Reuters.
Based on the new figures, nuclear would be the most expensive form of electricity generation, exceeding even offshore wind, he said...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/08/nuclear-britain-edf-idUSL5E8G8FQ620120508
See also "Soaring Costs Threaten To Blow Nuclear Plans Apart (UK)"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/112714142
UK environment agency backs fracking, nuclear power
LONDON | Tue May 8, 2012 6:25am EDT
May 8 (Reuters) - The chairman of the environment agency for England and Wales voiced support for shale gas extraction - which critics say can pollute ground water and cause earth tremors - and he backed government plans to expand nuclear power generation.
Shale gas is extracted using a technology called hydraulic fracturing or fracking, which involves pumping large amounts of water and chemicals underground.
The chairman, Lord Smith of Finsbury, said on Tuesday fracking could be done safely and that the technology could improve Britain's energy security and end the need to import gas from abroad.
The Environment Agency is largely government funded and is the main environmental regulator for England and Wales, including areas important for the shale gas and nuclear power sector, such as air and land pollution and waste regulation.
"Domestically available (shale) gas supply would be beneficial ..."
....
LONDON | Tue May 8, 2012 6:25am EDT
May 8 (Reuters) - The chairman of the environment agency for England and Wales voiced support for shale gas extraction - which critics say can pollute ground water and cause earth tremors - and he backed government plans to expand nuclear power generation.
Shale gas is extracted using a technology called hydraulic fracturing or fracking, which involves pumping large amounts of water and chemicals underground.
The chairman, Lord Smith of Finsbury, said on Tuesday fracking could be done safely and that the technology could improve Britain's energy security and end the need to import gas from abroad.
The Environment Agency is largely government funded and is the main environmental regulator for England and Wales, including areas important for the shale gas and nuclear power sector, such as air and land pollution and waste regulation.
"Domestically available (shale) gas supply would be beneficial ..."
....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=post&forum=1127
