The future of nuclear power generation in the United Kingdom

The view of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy, United Kingdom Department of Energy, on the future of nuclear power in the United Kingdom is presented. Britain has a very wide variety of primary energy resources to draw upon. This, and the changes due to electricity privatization, gives a position of diversity and competition. No energy source has an automatic or guaranteed place; each must make its case on financial, environmental and safety grounds. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for nuclear power. Nuclear power can make Britain more secure in energy terms by adding to the diversity of energy sources and can also help to combat acid rain and global warming. For these reasons, the Government wants to maintain the nuclear option, provided that the industry can demonstrate that it is economic and can maintain its high standards of safety and environmental protection which are crucial in terms of public perception. (UK)