By Chris Story

Last updated at 13:18, Wednesday, 30 March 2011

Fall-out from the Japanese tsunami could throw a potentially devastating blow to hopes of building a new nuclear reactor in west Cumbria.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has reportedly indicated that constructing new atomic plants could be too expensive in the wake of the disaster in Japan.

It has been suggested today that a review into Britain’s existing nuclear plants ordered after the explosion at the Fukushima power station could recommend higher and more costly safety standards.

And Mr Clegg is said to have insisted that no extra Government money would be found to need extra costs and has suggested that energy firms would struggle to raise investment as a result of the problems in Japan.

Securing a new generation nuclear reactor is a key plank of economic plans in Cumbria, with up to three electricity-producing reactors planned on 470 acres of farmland outside the existing licensed site at Sellafield.

Government ministers have said that a new generation of plants are needed as part of the energy mix to cut carbon and ensure energy security in the future.

Last year, the green light to eight sites for new nuclear power plants.

But the reported suggestions from the Liberal Democrat leader – perhaps alarming some of the coalition’s Tory partners – appear at odds with the views of the Government’s former chief scientist.

Professor Sir David King said: “Despite the terrible events in Japan, the economic, safety and carbon case for a new build programme in the UK has never been stronger.”

According to a report out yesterday

But the report warned that the industry in the UK was not set up for new nuclear build – and a “holistic” approach was needed which dealt with the legacy of old power plants alongside a new generation of nuclear reactors.

Sir David said: “Currently the UK has a window of opportunity to deal with its nuclear material and spent fuel management and to maximise the value of its existing assets. The renaissance in new nuclear build creates an advantageous way of using these legacy materials as fuel for new nuclear power plants.”

Earlier this year, the Government launched a consultation into what to do with plutonium currently stored at Sellafield and Dounreay, including the possibility of recycling it into new fuel.

According to the report, the costs of recycling nuclear materials would be offset to an extent by the value of the new fuels produced, but the costs of disposing of used nuclear fuel would fall to the Government, and therefore the taxpayer.

There is “no cheap, do nothing option”, the report warns.

The reuse of materials, and the infrastructure needed for doing so, could increase energy security by generating electricity from existing stocks, save carbon by reducing mining for uranium, increase employment and improve nuclear security, the report said.

First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk