UK says eight sites identified for future nuclear plants

UK says eight sites identified for future nuclear plants

2010-10-19 06:30:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- The United Kingdom on Monday announced that it has identified eight possible sites for future power plants and ruled out three other locations, the BBC reported.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said that eight potential sites in England and Wales are suitable for new nuclear power stations by 2025. In addition, Huhne ruled out Dungeness in Kent and both Braystones and Kirksanton in Cumbria due to environmental issues.

The approved eight locations will represent the most ambitious fleet of nuclear power stations in Europe. Originally, the UK found eleven locations suitable for nuclear plants but three were cut as part of a revised draft policy statement presented to the Parliament.

The possible locations are: Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex; Hartlepool; Heysham, Lancashire; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Oldbury, Gloucestershire; Sellafield, Cumbria; Sizewell, Suffolk and Wylfa on the Isle of Anglesey.

The new nuclear plants would have to be built without public money but Huhne said that finding private investment would be challenging and other options should be pursued. This threatens the fulfillment of the projects which would be also subjected to planning permission.

Energy Minister Charles Hendry said: "The coalition agreement clearly sees a role for new nuclear, provided that there is no public subsidy. It is for private sector energy companies to construct, operate and decommission new nuclear plants. It will be for us to ensure the appropriate levels of safety, security and environmental regulation."

The United Kingdom is currently at risk of an energy crisis by the middle of the next decade when many of the existing nuclear plants will reach the end of their lives. Huhne said that the government hopes that half of all new capacity by 2025 would come from renewables.

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