Anger at plans for nuclear power station to replace wind farm

Anger at plans for nuclear power station to replace wind farm

The Guardian Terry Macalister 28 April 2009 • Threatened site is one of the most efficient
• Proposed atomic plant backed by government One of the oldest and most efficient wind farms in Britain is to be dismantled and replaced by a nuclear power station under plans drawn up by the German-owned power group RWE.

The site at Kirksanton in Cumbria – home to the Haverigg turbines – has just been approved by the government for potential atomic newbuild in a move that has infuriated the wind power industry.

Colin Palmer, founder of the Windcluster company, which owns part of the Haverigg wind farm, said he was horrified that such a plan could be considered at a time when Britain risks missing its green energy targets and after reassurance from ministers that nuclear and renewables were not incompatible.

…………………….. The British Wind Energy Association said the enormous speed with which nuclear plants appeared to be moving through the planning process – responsible for part of the anger around Haverigg – compared dramatically with all the problems being faced by dozens of windfarms. “We need a level playing field for all types of generation when it comes to planning regulation and government support,” said the association. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/28/haverigg-turbines-nuclear-power-plant

April 28, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK | antinuclear, nuclear, renewables