Dubious economic advice: the 'decision' on Sizewell B

Consent was given for the construction of the Sizewell B nuclear power station in March 1987. This was in spite of objections that the conditions had changed between then and the end of the public inquiry in 1985. In particular, the economic analysis of the Department of Energy was that there was only one chance in seven that a coal-fired station would provide new capacity at lower cost than Sizewell-B. Independent verifiable calculations show this to be incorrect, partly because it was based on an error made in the calculations of the Inquiry report. The figures are recalculated. It is concluded that there is no longer an economic case for building Sizewell-B ahead of capacity need as was claimed at the Sizewell Inquiry. Various other conclusions are also drawn. (U.K.)