Britian's Nuclear Power Gone With The Wind

Paraphrased by:
Steve Waldrop
February 12, 2003

Wind power is set to replace nuclear power in Great Britain. Patricia Hewitt, the Trade and Industry Secretary, told a Cabinet committee meeting that renewable energy sources are the way forward. Cabinet members are divided on the need for more nuclear power. Ms. Hewitt, says that Britain has to do more to exploit its rich resources of onshore and offshore winds. New planning laws would also make it easier for more wind farms to be built.

The 31 reactors that are still in operation, produces 25% of the country's electricity needs. The oldest reactors are to be closed before the end of 2010. Britain’s newest reactor, a single pressure water reactor is scheduled to close by 2024.

Britains largest nuclear energy producer, British Energy (BE), was on the brink of bankruptcy last year. BE, is being kept afloat by an emergency government loan which runs out on March 9—the deadline set by the European commission for submitting an agreed restructuring plan. BE was privatized in 1996, but the government is now under pressure to put it back under administration. The other British nuclear company, the state owned British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL), is also struggling with financial problems.

It has long been a subject of speculation as to what kind of energy resources will replace the nuclear power plants, which will be closed in the coming years.

A recent survey proved that wind is popular—with 72% of those polled preferring it to nuclear power.