Nuclear industry receives no cause for optimism at 'Energy Choices'

摘要

Stephen Tirnms, the UK minister responsible for energy, told an industry meeting that new nuclear build is "not a decision for today." Addressing the annual Energy Choices meeting in London, organised by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA, formerly the British Nuclear Industry Forum), Timms said that the UK faces three major challenges: climate change; moving towards becoming a net importer of electricity; and updating the infrastructure. However, despite these challenges, nuclear is "not a realistic proposition for today." He acknowledged that nuclear was a carbon free source of energy but "more convincing answers" are needed to the problems of economics and waste, before proceeding with new build. In response to Lord Lea of Crondall - who expressed concern over the sheer number of wind turbines required just to replace the energy lost by the country's nuclear power stations as they shut down - Timms said he was confident that the country's targets of 10% electricity from renewables by 2010, and 20% by 2020, were achievable. But, he added, the nuclear option was being kept open in case it would be needed in the future.