UK advised to invest in cheaper and safer renewables, rather than nuclear

The UK government should ditch its plans to build more nuclear plants and invest in cleaner, cheaper and safer renewable energy, the National Infrastructure Commission advised on Tuesday.

The government plans to build six nuclear plants before 2025 to replace ageing coal and nuclear reactors and cut the country’s carbon emissions.

Sir John Armitt, the NIC’s chairman, argued that wind and solar power could deliver the same generating capacity as nuclear for the same price and was less risky.

He said only one more nuclear plant should get the go-ahead between now and 2025, also arguing that the extended negotiations for Hinkley power station should not be repeated another six times.

He also said: “We’re suggesting it’s not necessary to rush ahead with nuclear. Because during the next 10 years we should get a lot more certainty about just how far we can rely on renewables.”

“I don’t think anybody’s pretending you can take forward a new nuclear power station without some form of government underwriting or support. Whereas the amount required to subsidise renewables is continually coming down.”

The NIC also said that by 2030 a minimum of 50% of power should come from renewables, up from about 30% this year. There would be no rise in consumer bills and would meet the reduction of carbon emissions target.

The government should continue to invest in wind and solar as well as ramping up efforts to improve energy efficiency of UK buildings and switching to electric vehicles.

The recommendation is a blow to companies such as Electricite de France SA and Hitachi Ltd., which are both planning large nuclear projects in Britain.