Britain Goes Nuclear

The UK Government has given the go-ahead for a new generation of nuclear reactors with the publication of a white paper and Energy Bill.

New nuclear reactors will be built to tackle the challenges of climate change and energy security, with energy companies expected to fully subsidise plant decommissioning and waste disposal costs.

Energy Secretary John Hutton announced the move would provide the UK with clean, secure and affordable energy, "vital" for the country's long-term interest.

"These [nuclear reactors] will help build our energy security, reduce emissions and place the UK at the forefront in the development of low carbon energy technology," says Hutton.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has welcomed today's announcement and in a statement, CBI director general Richard Lambert says the "economics of nuclear" are looking more favourable in a "carbon constrained world with a strong EU Emissions Trading Scheme".

"Where government must deliver, though, is on ensuring that the reform of the planning system makes it possible to build new power generating facilities of all sorts in a timely fashion," Lambert says.

Energy companies will now be expected to put forward plans for the building and development of nuclear power stations, ten of which are expected to be built by 2020.

The Energy Bill, which provides an updated legislative framework, is expected to "drive a greater deployment of renewables and enable investment" in carbon capture and storage and offshore gas infrastructure, according to the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

The government is set to publish a financial consultation on waste and decommissioning over the next two months.

Environmental campaigners such as Greenpeace, concerned over the disposal of nuclear waste, have criticised the government's decision to back nuclear technology.

Last week Greenpeace threatened to take legal action against the government, claiming consultation on the future of nuclear power was "flawed".

By Ozge Ibrahim