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Potential nuclear site for Hartlepool

A list of potential sites for new nuclear power stations - including one in the North East - has been unveiled.

The 11 sites, including Hartlepool, have been nominated by companies interested in building the stations and have been initially approved by the Government.

Nine of the locations have previously been home to nuclear reactors - including Dungeness in Kent and Sizewell in Suffolk - while two others are close to the former Sellafield reactor site in Cumbria.

The proposals form part of the Governments plan to build a new generation of nuclear power stations to help close what has been described as a generation gap expected as existing nuclear and coal-fired stations shutdown.

Members of the public are now being asked for their views during a month-long consultation period.

Ed Miliband, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said: “This is another important step towards a new generation of nuclear power stations. I want to listen to what people have to say about these nominations and I encourage people to log on to our website, read the information and let us have their comments.

“Nuclear power is part of the low carbon future for Britain. It also has the potential to offer thousands of jobs to the UK and multi-million pound opportunities to British businesses.”

Sarah Green, Regional Director of the Confederation of British Industries North East, said: “New nuclear stations can provide reliable, low-carbon power for Britain. Renewables and energy efficiency are vital to meeting our carbon targets, but without new nuclear stations they will not be enough.

“Selecting the sites for new stations enables investors to start formalising their plans and this consultation will ensure the right sites are chosen.

“But while today’s news is welcome we should not forget our energy security is under increased threat, and the government cannot afford any delay in getting the nuclear programme in train. That means we need a national planning statement on nuclear building as soon as possible. Even now it will probably be 2017 before any nuclear stations come online. Any further delay could be disastrous.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .