Progress of nuclear power since the beginning of 1992

The Chief Executive of Nuclear Electric plc reviews the progress of nuclear power in the United Kingdom during 1992. The Government's Coal Review gave the nuclear industry considerable credit, and led to the Nuclear Review being brought forward to 1993. Following the Earth Summit in Rio, the United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000: nuclear generation is central to this policy. The Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at Sellafield was completed both on time and within budget, and awaits commissioning. The cost of decommissioning was addressed in a National Audit Office report. The policy of ''Deferred Safestores'', containing closed reactors in special buildings for 100 years before decommissioning starts, eases current cost concerns temporarily. Finally, a major boost to the industry was achieved with the commissioning of Sizewell B, the United Kingdom's first Pressurized Water Reactor, ahead of programme and within budget. (UK)