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NOF backs nuclear plan

THE government yesterday named Hartlepool among eight sites which have been shortlisted as locations for the next generation of nuclear power plants.

Although it remains to be seen how long it could take before work actually begins on the programmes, a key player in the region’s energy industry yesterday said it was a positive step towards the region’s aim of developing a diverse energy mix.

George Rafferty, Chief Executive of industry body NOF Energy, backed energy secretary Chris Huhne’s announcement yesterday as good news for the North East.

George Rafferty said: “We welcome the announcement of these sites, which will breed confidence among our members and the wider industry that nuclear remains a key element of the government’s energy plans.

“Mr Huhne is completely correct when he says that this country needs to generate energy from diverse sources with contributions from all sectors. Nuclear has a place in the energy mix alongside hydrocarbons and renewables, such as offshore wind.

“This has been NOF Energy’s position for more than three years and we have been working hard across the energy sectors to support the creation of a multi-sector supply chain with transferable skills and expertise.”

The new nuclear plants will be at Bradwell, Essex; Hartlepool; Heysham, Lancs; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Oldbury, South Glos; Sellafield, Cumbria; Sizewell, Suffolk; and Wylfa, Anglesey. Three other proposed nuclear sites - at Dungeness, Kent, and Braystones and Kirksanton, both Cumbria - were ruled out.

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