By Andrew Porter
The next generation of nuclear power stations is set to be given the go-ahead by the Government next week despite fierce opposition from environmentalists and MPs.
Following months of delays over a legal challenge, John Hutton, the Business Secretary, is expected to tell MPs that a new era of nuclear power can begin.
Greenpeace forced the Government to launch a further study of the plans earlier this year after judges ruled that the initial decision-making process was flawed. Greenpeace is likely to try to halt the plans again.
However, ministers are confident that their "wide-ranging" five-month consultation will lead to a pro-nuclear outcome.
In his New Year's message, Gordon Brown pointed towards a nuclear future: "We will take the difficult decisions on energy security - on nuclear power and renewables - so British invention and innovation can claim new markets for new technologies and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs."
Mr Hutton will not give details of how many reactors the Government would like to see built.
Last night Steve Webb, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, said: "Nobody believes that this second consultation on nuclear power was any more genuine than the first.
"It is obvious that the Government has already made its decision."
A number of Labour MPs are also expected to oppose the plans.