Nuclear industry foiled by energy review favouring renewable sources

A big increase in nuclear power as an energy source for Britain is expected to be ruled out by the Government's forthcoming Energy Review.

The magazine New Scientist claims today to have seen a final draft of the review, which will go to Tony Blair for approval in the next few days. And there is no sign in the document of a reported plan to build 15 new nuclear power stations.

Instead, the review is likely to say that the best way to cut carbon pollution and tackle global warming is to replace oil and coal-fired power stations with renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and solar power. If this is confirmed by Mr Blair ­ who isknown to be a big supporter of nuclear power ­ it will represent a defeat for the Minister for Industry and Energy, Brian Wilson, who chaired the review.

Mr Wilson, an openly committed nuclear supporter who has the Hunterston atomic power station in his Ayrshire constituency, was known to be hoping for a substantially enhanced nuclear contribution to Britain's energy supplies.

But others involved in the review, including Michael Meacher, the Environment minister, and Peter Hain, the Foreign Office minister, are known to be much more sceptical about the benefits of nuclear power.

The review draft, as seen by New Scientist, does not close the door on atomic power, but says that it has substantial problems of waste disposal, safety, economic efficiency and public acceptability. The technology has "an uncertain role", since "concerns about radioactive waste, accidents, terrorism and proliferation may limit or preclude its use". It also wants the cost of insuring against accidents and disposing of radioactive waste to be borne by the nuclear power stations.

The report is enthusiastic about the potential of renewable energy, which it says is the most flexible way to reduce carbon emissions. It suggests producing at least 20 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, compared with the current target of 10 per cent by 2010. That could be achieved by expanding the number of wind turbines on and offshore, and by introducing wave power and underwater tidal generators.

The report also urges the development of combined heat and power, which uses the heat from electricity generation rather than wasting it, and suggests a target for a 20 per cent improvement in domestic energy efficiency by 2010.

The report will be a disappointment to the nuclear industry, which had been hoping for a kick-start.