Hard sell begins for new nuclear plant
Last updated 11:13, Friday, 07 March 2008
CRUCIAL steps have been taken towards building a new nuclear power plant at Sellafield and strengthening a £2 billion vision to transform west Cumbria.
It was announced yesterday that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is marketing its sites to developers who could secure the sprawling atomic complex’s future.
Agencies charged with revitalising the area’s economy believe it is a major move towards attracting firms interested in creating a new station in west Cumbria – fuelled by waste already stored there.
Copeland MP Jamie Reed believes Sellafield could get two reactors and a fuel manufacturing plant.
The creation of a new power station forms the backbone of the Britain’s Energy Coast Masterplan – a bid to use £2bn of public and private sector cash to transform the west Cumbrian economy by £800 million and create 16,000 jobs.
NDA officials have started a process to gauge interest from firms interested in developing its land, including Sellafield, Calder Hall, Windscale and the low level waste repository at Drigg.
Their action comes after the Government announced in January that it would support a new generation of nuclear reactors to help power the UK.
Business Secretary and Barrow MP John Hutton yesterday revealed interest in developing new nuclear power plants – likely to be in the vicinity of existing stations – was strong.
Mr Reed said: “The significance of this process should not be underestimated. This is the first step towards new nuclear build at Sellafield.
“This is an exciting development and one which I have been working for alongside Westlakes Renaissance and the Sellafield trade unions.”
The MP says the NDA’s move will help it fulfil its duties under the 2004 Energy Act and maximise value for taxpayers.
He added: “This holds real promise for Sellafield because real private sector interest exists in developing the site. I want to see new reactors at Sellafield, fuelled by the uranium and plutonium stored on the site.
“These materials would cost approximately £3 billion of taxpayers’ money to dispose of and would yield no benefit whatsoever.
“By utilising these materials as fuel to power reactors on the Sellafield site we not only save the taxpayer £3 billion, but we help to lead the fight against global warming with carbon dioxide-free electricity generation. In addition, we solve the non-proliferation materials associated with these issues. Not only this, but we would then truly make west Cumbria the international centre of nuclear expertise.”
Mr Reed believes there is genuine interest in Sellafield from the private sector, but warned that developments will not happen overnight.
His is a view shared by regeneration agency West Lakes Renaissance. Director for nuclear opportunities Rosie Mathisen said: “West Cumbria’s nuclear sites have massive potential for a new nuclear power station.
“The private sector is well aware of west Cumbria’s status as a world leader in the nuclear industry. This early marketing of the sites will get across the message that there are many good reasons for new build here.”
She believes there is ample space at Sellafield to build a new station and enough reprocessed waste to fuel two reactors for 60 years. But officials also admitted there are potential difficulties, in building any new plant including a lack of connection to the national grid. “West Lakes Renaissance and partners are shouting loudly about the benefits of a new nuclear power station in west Cumbria,” Ms Mathisen said. “However, we have to be realistic and not shy away from the challenges that face us. All we can do is continue to lay the foundations for new build and help secure the area’s long-term economic future.”
The NDA said interested parties should write to them by April 3 stating which assets and activities they are interested in.
A spokesman added: “The NDA will then consider any such responses before determining the competition process going forward.”
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