| A big energy gap in Britain means a programme of | | | | at these nominated locations, which include Wylfa B |
| new nuclear build must replace an aging fleet of old | | | | on Anglesey, is to carry out extensive consultations |
| Magnox nuclear reactors. And as old coal plants are | | | | with stakeholders about the impact of new build. |
| closed down in order to comply with the Large | | | | They are required to carry out ecological, |
| Combustion Plant Directive from the European Union, | | | | environmental and social impact assessments as part |
| there is a need to maintain a steady baseload supply | | | | of the application process. |
| of electricity. | | | | There are many strands in the whole new nuclear |
| In all about 16 GWe of capacity can be expected | | | | build process. There has to be an assessment of |
| from a new generation of new nuclear plants, and | | | | generic reactor designs by the Nuclear Installation |
| given that nuclear power makes up about 20% and | | | | Inspectorate (NII) to ensure they comply with very |
| falling of the electricity mix, completion of this major | | | | exacting engineering, design and safety criteria. |
| infrastructure commitment is essential. | | | | The planning process has had to be changed in such |
| As well as ensuring the energy gap is closed, there | | | | a way that justification for having nuclear will be |
| are also other considerations to bear in mind from a | | | | considered as a national strategic decision, based on |
| strategic energy perspective, namely working | | | | the question of need, and separated from local issues |
| towards a low carbon economy as well as addressing | | | | specific to each chosen site. |
| the need for energy security. | | | | A new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) has |
| The UK has a strong commitment to achieving a low | | | | been set up to oversee and decide on the local |
| carbon economy, and the Climate Change Act has | | | | aspects. It now means that if people want to object |
| been passed in the British Parliament, with a goal of | | | | to a particular project, they will not be able to cite |
| achieving a cut of 80% in greenhouse gas emissions | | | | the fact that it is nuclear as a reason for their |
| by mid century. Such an ambitious target puts the UK | | | | objection. |
| well within the goals set out by Kyoto as well as the | | | | Regulatory justification refers to an assessment of |
| EU framework for tackling carbon emissions. | | | | whether the socio economic and other benefits of a |
| Many ask why build more nuclear power stations and | | | | new programme involving ionizing radiation outweighs |
| express concerns about the nuclear waste that will | | | | any potential detriment to public health. |
| be produced. It is absolutely essential that safety is | | | | Another key area is that the consortia developers |
| paramount when it comes to decommissioning these | | | | for these nuclear plants must satisfy the government |
| new plants as well as in the disposal of the new | | | | that they have a sustainable funding stream (FDP) to |
| nuclear waste. | | | | cover decommissioning of these reactors and proper |
| Supporters of new nuclear build claim that even when | | | | disposal of the nuclear waste. |
| the costs of mining and fabricating the uranium fuel | | | | With regard to the economic benefits of a nuclear |
| as well as building, operating and decommissioning the | | | | renaissance in Britain, the impact on job creation in |
| plants is taken into account, the costs and emissions | | | | the regional economies where the new reactors are |
| of carbon dioxide are still much less than fossil fuels | | | | being built such as at Wylfa B Anglesey, is significant. |
| and even than renewable energy systems like wind, | | | | As well as creating thousands of construction jobs in |
| on a comparable energy unit basis. | | | | the build phase, when the reactors generate power |
| Another area which we need to consider seriously is | | | | they provides openings for many science, engineering |
| the capacity to provide a continuous, dependable and | | | | and project management careers. |
| steady supply of baseload energy, which has until | | | | Given these new reactors will have lives of up to |
| now been possible with coal, nuclear and gas. Only | | | | sixty years, the implications for career planning go |
| new nuclear can ensure that the UK has both a solid | | | | across at least two generations. This places a |
| baseload electricity supply as well as that source | | | | significant challenge on education providers to ensure |
| being low carbon. | | | | that students achieve the necessary standard of |
| After carrying out a strategic site assessment the | | | | relevant qualifications. There are also great spin-offs |
| Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) | | | | to the supply chain in the local economy as well as |
| announced that a number of nominated locations for | | | | for research collaboration with universities. |
| potential new nuclear sites had been consdidered | | | | The future looks greener with Wylfa B on Anglesey |
| suitable for a new generation nuclear reactor. | | | | as well as other nuclear plants contributing to produce |
| One obligation of developers of new nuclear stations | | | | low carbon sources of energy in Britain. |