Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK urged to go for nuclear power

 

Chris Moncrieff
Sunday 27 November 2011 07:31 EST
Comments
George Osborne was urged today to put nuclear power at the forefront of the Government's electricity supply policy
George Osborne was urged today to put nuclear power at the forefront of the Government's electricity supply policy (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Chancellor George Osborne was urged today to put nuclear power at the forefront of the Government's electricity supply policy.

In a letter to the Chancellor, Sir William McAlpine, chairman of the pressure group Supporters of Nuclear Energy (SONE) describes the present energy policy as an imposition on consumers and industry and as failing in its objectives.,

Sir William: "We welcome your determination that Britain should not impose costs on consumers and industry that exceed those of our competitors in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and your reduction of some subsidies.

"We do so because we regard current energy policy as an imposition on both consumers and industry and commerce. More importantly, it does not give value for money.

"In fact, it is failing in all its objectives - security (which renewables generally can never provide) of low carbon supply at affordable cost."

Sir William continued: "We find this difficult to understand when the Government is wrestling with massive debts and the need for growth and is privy to the facts about electricity supply costs.

"The sheer disparity between the cost of other sources - and especially offshore wind - and nuclear is startling when nuclear can reasonably be claimed to provide security of low carbon supply at affordable cost. We suggest this shows that reform of energy policy has a long way to go before it is in a position to achieve its declared objective.

He added: "We wish you well in re-introducing the long-overdue concept of value for money into it. In our view, the evidence requires nuclear power to be at the forefront of electricity supply policy."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in