UK urged to triple nuclear power

[Aurora]

The Ecologist - 07/08/09

Gordon Brown has been told to triple the contribution of nuclear to electricity generation to prevent an over-reliance on imported oil and gas supplies.

A report by former energy minister Malcolm Wicks recommended that nuclear power should provide 35-40 per cent of the UK's electricity needs after 2030.

Its contribution has halved since the 1990s and now provides around 12.5 per cent of the UK's electricity demand.

Mr Wicks said the UK was becoming increasingly reliant on imports, particularly oil and gas, to meet its energy demands.

'Nuclear power is a proven, large-scale, low-carbon way to generate electricity,' said Wicks. 'To enhance energy security and reduce our reliance on imports, a range between, say, 35-40 per cent of electricity from nuclear could be a sensible aspiration beyond 2030.'

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[WolfattheDoor]

'Nuclear power is a proven, large-scale, low-carbon way to generate electricity,' said Wicks. 'To enhance energy security and reduce our reliance on imports...'

Ah, that'll be all the UK uranium mines he's talking about.

[Aurora]

[JohnB]

But surely as Gordon Brown has family connections to the nuclear industry, he has a potential conflict of interest, and shouldn't be involved in discussions on nuclear power. If he was an elected member of a local council I think he'd probably have to.