U.K. Nuclear Update

The only way to plug Britain's growing "energy gap" is to build more nuclear power stations, scientists said in a report published yesterday.

A group of 150 academics and energy industry specialists concluded that in order to achieve the Government's target for reducing greenhouse gases and meet the demand for energy, Britain must replace its nuclear power stations as they reach the end of their useful lives.

The report, published by the Geological Society, stated that renewable energy sources are unlikely to fill the gap left by the ageing nuclear reactors when they are decommissioned, all but one of which will be shut down by 2023. With demand for energy growing by around 0.7 per cent per year, the report said production will be 20 per cent, below peak demand by 2015.

For more on the study, click here. Click here for more from Tim Worstall, who takes Greenpeace to task for a typical distortion about nuclear energy.

Others in the U.S. are noticing as well. And if you're so inclined, join in on the discussion at Peak Oil News.

UPDATE: The Guardian has more about the U.K.'s involvement in the Generation IV reactor project.

Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Environment, Energy, Politics, Technology, Economics, United Kingdom

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NEI Nuclear Notes

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