Find an Alternative – Wind or Nuclear Energy?
I read today that British Energy has announced a safeguard of the future of nuclear power stations Hinkley Point B, near Bridgewater in Somerset, and Hunterston B in Ayrshire, Scotland, by five years until 2016. As the arguments for and against nuclear power rage on, no doubt this announcement will be welcomed by pro-nuclear campaigners, those in the nuclear industry and indeed employees at British Energy. Hunterston employs around 670 people and brings an estimated £55m a year into the local economy. However, the UK has still to define its nuclear policy, which the Government has said it will do in 2008. There are those in politics I’m sure who see this as an indication that it has already made up its mind. The way I see it is that in an ideal world we could meet our power needs, maintain energy security and tackle climate change through a comprehensive programme of renewables, energy efficiency and cleaner carbon technology. But that’s the crux - we do not yet live in such a utopia and until we do we need to find a way to meet our expanding energy needs and it is not being done through indigenous production.
Interestingly, British Energy’s announcement came the day after leader of the Department of Business and Enterprise John Hutton revealed plans to install up to 7,000 offshore wind turbines to boost wind produced energy 60-fold by 2020. The business secretary admitted it would change Britain’s coastline, and result in higher electricity bills. However, it would go a long way towards addressing climate change through low-carbon energy production and enable the UK to be more self-sufficient. Mr Hutton was quoted on the BBC’s website as saying: “I do not want in 20 years’ time to find that whether the lights go on in the morning is down to some foreign government. “I agree! In the meantime, for information about how to protect your supply of energy visit Riello UPS.
