Nuclear Energy: Current situation and prospects to 2020

摘要

Back at the time when the Energy White Paper was launched in early 2003, Government identified the four key pillars of energy policy: environmental acceptability, reliability, affordability and competition in the market. Never stated - but implicit - was a fifth pillar, namely the safety of whatever technologies might be deployed, both to the workforce and the wider public. The White Paper provided no overt support for nuclear fission, but did recognise the potential contribution it could make through its low carbon emissions. However, it also noted some issues associated with nuclear energy, in terms of the economics and in terms of waste, both of which, it was felt, needed resolution. As far as the UK nuclear sector was concerned, there was major disappointment with the White Paper which purported to keep the nuclear option open yet neither took, nor indicated plans to take, practical steps to do so.