The Nuclear option needed to hit UK carbon emissions targets says NIA

“We have to grow the industry’s contribution to a low-carbon economy. This is a proven, dependable technology with lower lifecycle CO2 emissions than solar power and the same as offshore wind. It is also an important economic engine for the UK, creating high-quality direct and indirect employment for around 155,000 people. Right now, nuclear provides 20% of all of the UK’s electricity, but all bit one of our existing fleet will close over the next decade and demand for power will only increase with a shift to electric heating and vehicles,” said Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the NIA.

With voters gearing up to cast their vote in next weeks general election, both the Conservatives and Labour Party have committed to new nuclear power in their manifestos, a decision that has angered some environmentalist groups.

Dr Doug Parr, chief scientist for Greenpeace UK, said: “The government has bent over backwards for the nuclear industry, promising them twice as much money for the power they generate as the latest renewable plants get. But it’s not enough. Nuclear’s sums don’t add up, they have been outcompeted and their self-serving arguments in this statement are becoming as obsolete as their technology. The nuclear industry’s claim to unique dependability is being steadily eroded as storage and smart grids develop and plummet in cost. The entire developed world is turning its collective back on nuclear because it’s too slow, too expensive, too dangerous and genuinely unnecessary.”

Nuclear energy has increasingly come under the spotlight in what role it will play on hitting the UK’s target of reducing CO2 emissions. A YouGov poll conducted over the summer showed that there was growing public concerns over its use. 33% of those surveyed said that they were in favour of more nuclear whilst 49% said they were opposed.

As well as the possible environmental impacts there is the matter of cost as the Hinkley Point nuclear power station that is still under construction has seen it go over budget by a whopping £3 billion.

The NIA argues that if the UK is to hit its carbon commitments it needs a ‘proven, dependable source of low carbon power generation alongside wind and solar.