Nuclear power consultation launched

A five-month consultation on the "significant role" new nuclear power stations could play in cutting emissions and diversifying energy supplies was launched by the Government today.

Ministers made clear they want new nuclear power stations to be built, sparking a fresh row with environmental campaigners who accused the Government of peddling a "failed policy".

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Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said it was the Government's preliminary view that it was in the public interest to give private energy firms the option of investing in new nuclear building projects.

A 20-week public consultation started today and will run until October 10.

Mr Darling also told MPs that the amount of electricity from renewable energy will triple to 15% by the year 2015, as he published the Energy White Paper.

Mr Darling said: "We face two big challenges - climate change and maintaining stable and affordable energy supply in an increasingly unstable world. The Energy White Paper sets out a long-term framework for action to address these challenges at home and abroad.

"The UK is also becoming increasingly dependent on imported oil and gas at a time when global demand is accelerating.

"We will ensure that we make the most of our substantial remaining reserves in the North Sea, have a diverse range of sources for our imports and make further progress opening up markets in Europe and more widely.

"With a third of our current electricity generation capacity due to close in the next 20 years, there is also a pressing need for investment in new low carbon sources."

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