24 Sep (NucNet): New nuclear build in the UK does not need to be subsidised provided fossil fuel alternatives carry the cost of the carbon emissions associated with their use and that standard designs are adopted, British Energy (BE) has said.
In its submission on 20 September 2007 to the government’s consultation on possible new build in the UK, BE said private companies should be given the option of investing in new nuclear units and no restrictions should be placed on the amount of new capacity that could be built.
The company also said there is no need for restrictions on the siting of nuclear power plants beyond those that established planning processes would impose.
BE suggested the government quantify how much new nuclear capacity it believes is required and the timescales for its construction. That would make it more likely that industry will make the early investments needed to increase the country’s nuclear component manufacturing capability and manpower skills, it said.
The government’s 20-week consultation ends on 10 October 2007 and it expects to make a decision towards the end of the year on whether to allow new nuclear construction.
In May 2007, the government published an energy policy paper and consultation document on nuclear energy. It said in those documents it had reached “a preliminary view” that it would be in the public interest to allow energy companies to invest in nuclear energy.
Source: NucNet