| The UK is going through a transitional period in | | | | making this move. These shifts in the balance of |
| regards to their energy generation. Many of the old | | | | power generation will lead to more nuclear jobs and |
| nuclear power stations are coming to the end of their | | | | power generation jobs right across the UK. |
| lifespan and a drive to reduce the number of | | | | The issue continues to be topical and looks set to |
| inefficient old coal power plants, nuclear energy is | | | | form an important part of the run up to the 2010 |
| firmly established as an important part of the future | | | | General Elections, because there is much concern |
| energy production. | | | | over the costs of implementing such large scale |
| The UK was one of the world’s leaders in | | | | changes to the energy infrastructure, but equally |
| domestic nuclear power, dating back to 1956 when | | | | there are concerns that by not doing so will leave |
| the first nuclear power station was put into | | | | the UK facing an energy crisis. In his speech at the |
| operation. At present, the number of nuclear power | | | | 2009 Labour Annual Conference in Brighton on the 27 |
| stations in the UK stands at 18, as some stations | | | | 09/09, the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK |
| have already begun to close. Back in 1997, nuclear | | | | government must be the leaders in the way of |
| stations generated approximately 26% of the total | | | | reform to help create "a more prosperous, fairer and |
| electricity output in the UK. Currently nuclear energy | | | | greener Britain". He envisaged this being done by |
| accounts for about 15% of electricity production, | | | | investing in green manufacturing and being prepared |
| with a wider reliance on gas and coal powered | | | | to foot the high costs involved in moving towards a |
| stations. The goal of the Department of Energy is to | | | | low-carbon economy. This is quite a departure from |
| increase this output to over a third by 2030. | | | | energy polices of old, with an increasing reliance on |
| In the spring of 2009, the UK government announced | | | | being up front about the increased costs, with a |
| the “Low Carbon Transition Plan” which aims | | | | view to increased long term economic and |
| to ensure that, by 2020, 40% of electricity will be | | | | environmental benefits. |
| produced by low-carbon sources. This ambitious | | | | Whatever the outcome of the next election, there |
| proportion would be made up from 30% renewable | | | | are sure to be a number of new large scale energy |
| energy sources such as wind power, and the | | | | projects throughout the country which can only be |
| remainder from nuclear and the so called “clean | | | | good news for technical recruitment with nuclear |
| coal” power stations. The result of this would | | | | energy jobs sure to become a skill that is further in |
| be around 50% of the annual emission cuts required | | | | demand. |
| between now and 2020 expected to be achieved by | | | | |