Leaked report calls for nuclear-free power
Date: 14-Dec-01
Country: UK
"The long-awaited study had been widely expected to embrace the nuclear industry's plans for up to 15 new nuclear stations," the weekly science magazine said yesterday.
"Instead, it relegates nuclear power to an also-ran that could be totally phased out by 2050 if renewable sources deliver as expected." New Scientist said it had obtained the document through a leak.
The draft report by the cabinet's Performance and Innovation Unit attempts to determine the best energy strategy for Britain for the next 50 years.
It favours renewable energy, which it says is the most flexible way to reduce the gas emissions from oil and coal-fired generation which are blamed for contributing to global warming.
The report also expresses concerns about radioactive waste, accidents and terrorism. The magazine said insurance costs made nuclear power very expensive.
The draft report pushes for production of at least 20 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, 10 percent more than the current official target for 2010.
"The report will be a bitter disappointment to the nuclear industry, which had been expecting it to kick-start a nuclear renaissance," the magazine added.