nuclear-news

Britain’s ‘Supporters of Nuclear Energy’ (SONE) giving up on new nuclear power

SONE wants their power stations to be directly funded by the Government. 

 the effective demise of the British nuclear construction programme will probably not be recognised by the Government itself in its public relations output.

British nuclear supporters issue surrender notice, Dave Toke’s green energy blog , 17 September 2012 Supporters of British nuclear power have effectively surrendered in their efforts to secure a new programme of building nuclear power stations.

Sir William McAlpine, a member of the McAlpine family which founded the major construction company of that name, has written to the British Chancellor, George Osborne, to ask that Government proposals to subsidise nuclear power should, in effect, be abandoned.
He has written as the Chair of the ‘Supporters of Nuclear Energy’ (SONE) group, which provides much of the lobbying inspiration for nuclear power in the UK. This is also a very significant move since the McAlpine group are among the companies who are most likely to
benefit from contracts given to build new nuclear power stations. Continue reading →

September 20, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK | 3 Comments

Pro nuclear group opposes Britain’s nuclear deal with French company EDF

‘No nuclear power at any price’ says lobby group  telegraph UK, 14 Sept 12, A pro-nuclear energy group is pressing the government to halt plans to order new atomic power plants because costs have been inflated leaving householders and businesses facing an enormous bill.

The Supporters of Nuclear Energy have told the Chancellor that current pricing proposals
would give nuclear power an unnecessary subsidy and provide EDF, the French state-controlled group, with a huge return on its £14bn investment in the first two plants.

Sir William McAlpine, SONE chairman, has written to George Osborne urging him to block any price deal with companies building nuclear stations “unless and until you are absolutely satisfied the nation is getting value for money.”
SONE feels the odds are being stacked against nuclear because it is being lumped together with wind power and other subsidised renewable energy sources in the price set-up to “create a level playing field.”
The government has ruled out direct aid for nuclear power but SONE argues the formula under discussion would provide an unmerited indirect subsidy.
A copy of the letter has been sent to Ed Davey, Energy Secretary, but Sir William feels he will get more support from the Treasury becauseof the Chancellor’s recent battle over wind farm subsidies.
Drawn out negotiations on the pricing framework and the struggle to accommodate nuclear and renewable energy have contributed to delays in plant ordering. Mr Davey hopes to make a decision by the end of the year….. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/9543057/No-nuclear-power-at-any-price-says-lobby-group.html

September 15, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK | Leave a comment

Political problems with China’s involvement in building UK’s nuclear reactors

any Chinese involvement in EDF’s new nuclear plans would raise concerns on a number of fronts and could even require a direct UK government involvement through some kind of golden share.

China could take key role in UK nuclear infrastructure through Hinkley Point
• EDF in talks with China to share £10bn reactor costs
• French company’s debt levels rocket to £30bn
• Security concerns raise possibility of government taking ‘golden
share’ in development Terry Macalister guardian.co.uk,  2 September 2012  EDF has been holding talks with China about sharing the soaring cost of building £10bn worth of new reactors at Hinkley Point, Somerset.

The move underlines growing pressure on the French company’s internal finances and has reignited a fractious debate about Communist state-run businesses playing a critical role in sensitive western energy infrastructure.

The overtures to Beijing’s state corporations – as well as approaches to Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds – come as EDF faces growing investment demands in France and the UK that have sent debt levels rocketing to €39.7bn (£30bn)…… Continue reading →

September 3, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK | Leave a comment