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Nuclear issue is a complicated one for election in Wales

Welsh election: Nuclear issue ‘difficult’ for Plaid, BBC News 14 Apr 16   Opposing nuclear power is difficult for Plaid Cymru, its leader has said, because of the jobs which depend on it.

Leanne Wood told a live BBC TV election special the party was “very clear” in its opposition to nuclear weapons.

But she said in terms of jobs on Anglesey, the nation had “put all our eggs in the nuclear basket” with 6,000 people working at Wylfa power station.

Ms Wood said if a replacement for Wylfa did not go ahead, an alternative source of jobs would have to be found.

Speaking on BBC Wales TV’s Ask the Leader programme in Aberystwyth, she said: “Plaid Cymru is opposed to Trident and we’ve been very clear on the case of opposing nuclear weapons.

“On the case of nuclear power that’s a little bit more difficult for us, I will be honest with you. This has not been a straight forward question for Plaid Cymru.

“I’m not personally convinced that nuclear power is the answer and I’m not convinced that it stacks up financially.

“I would prefer us to take more of a renewables-based approach. We’ve got in our manifesto an aim to meet all the electricity needs in as far as we can in Wales… renewably by 2035.”

Plans are being made for a new power station called Wylfa Newydd to be built next to the old Wylfa plant, which is being decommissioned.

Horizon Nuclear Power, owned by the Japanese giant Hitachi, is still in the process of drawing up detailed plans, which will be submitted by 2017………http://www.bbc.com/news/election-2016-wales-36050553

April 15, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general