The security of Britain's energy supply. Government policy and the proposed Hinkley Point 'C'

The Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) in the United Kingdom has put forward as an integral part of its case for the construction of the Hinckley Point ''C'' reactor, the argument that it is consistent with the government's policy of encouraging diversity in fuel sources so as to promote security of the country's energy supply. In examining this argument, the conclusions are drawn that the CEGB's proposal would pre-empt decisions that under the government's privatisation plan are to be placed much more in the hands of electricity distributors, would place constraints on diversification and is unlikely to promote security of supply. (author)