New plants to make UK 25% nuclear by 2025
A huge expansion of nuclear power was announced today as Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband argued it was crucial in the fight against global warming.
A new generation of power plants will be in use by the end of the decade after Mr Miliband approved most of the 11 short-listed sites. Most are expected to be next to existing plants such as Sizewell, Hinkley Point and Sellafield and planning will be fast-tracked by a new quango, the Infrastructure Planning Commission, which the Tories described as undemocratic.
Today's plans will increase the amount of Britain's nuclear electricity from 15 per cent to 25 per cent by 2025. Mr Miliband believes it is crucial for the UK to meet its target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
"Saying no is not a good energy policy. In fact, we've got to say yes to all of the key technologies: nuclear, renewable, clean coal," he said.
Ministers hope the planning reforms will avoid long battles, encouraging companies such as E.ON, RWE npower and EDF to open the first new power station as early as 2017.
Green groups warned that people would not be able to influence decisions. Friends of the Earth's Andy Atkins added: "Building new nuclear plants would divert precious resources from developing safe renewable power."
