British Energy Secretary John Hutton invited energy companies on Thursday to bring forward plans on new nuclear power stations as part of the country's strategy for a secure, diverse and low carbon energy mix.
"Giving the go ahead today that new nuclear power should play a role in providing the UK with clean, secure and affordable energy is in our country's vital long-term interest," Hutton told parliament members.
Hutton made the remarks as he publicized the government's response to its nuclear consultation, in the form of a White Paper, alongside the Energy Bill, which sets out a range of measures to address the twin challenges of tackling climate change and securing energy supplies.
The British government believes it is in the public interest that new nuclear power stations should play a role in this country's future energy mix alongside other low-carbon sources.
It has therefore decided to allow energy companies to invest in new nuclear power stations and to take active steps to facilitate their construction.
There are currently 16 nuclear power plants in Britain, half of them operated by British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) and the other half by British Energy. All power stations run by BNFL will be closed by 2010 and by British Energy by 2023, as the power stations have long outlived their 20-25 years of life expectancy.
Britain's existing nuclear power stations produce about 20 percent of the country's electricity.
No reactors have been built since the 1980s as accidents, high decommissioning costs and the problem of nuclear waste eroded enthusiasm. However, with soaring oil and gas prices, dwindling fossil fuel reserves and pressure to tackle climate change, the government believes a new generation of reactors is required.
Source:Xinhua
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