nuclear-news

TIDAL power extinguishes the arguments for new nuclear plants in Suffolk

Ian Blackford rubbishes case for Sizewell C on Question Time, The National, By Hamish Morrison 18 Nov 22

The SNP Westminster leader told the BBC Question Time audience in Suffolk – where the new Sizewell C nuclear plant will be built – he was “delighted” to assist them in objecting to the project.

It came on the same day the Chancellor confirmed the £30 billion project was going ahead as he announced the first £700 million contracts would be signed within weeks.

Citing a Royal Society report from 2021 which found the UK is capable of generating 11GW of tidal power by 2050 – 50% greater than current nuclear capacity, Blackford said: “We can produce safe, green energy, we don’t need nuclear.”

Blackford said the potential amount of energy that could be generated through tidal power – which generates electricity with waves in the sea – would be enough to meet the basic amount of demand for the UK.

And the technology, which uses underwater turbines to generate electricity, has the potential to support far more jobs in the country than does nuclear, Blackford added.

He said: “Between now and 2050, we could increase fivefold our green energy output in Scotland…………………………..

“Look at the Royal Society report, we don’t need nuclear because you can get the baseload from tidal.

“And if I can assist those that are objecting to Sizewell here [Suffolk], then I’d be delighted to do so. It’s expensive, it is a white elephant, we can produce safe, green energy we don’t need nuclear.”  https://www.thenational.scot/news/23135460.ian-blackford-rubbishes-case-sizewell-c-question-time/

November 20, 2022 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable