DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/204)
issued by COI News Distribution Service. 18 September 2008
John Hutton will
today pledge his maximum support for new nuclear power stations in
the UK, at the first meeting of the Government's new Nuclear
Development Forum. Mr Hutton will say that energy from new nuclear
generators is absolutely indispensable for keeping the UK's
lights on, reducing our dependency on foreign oil and gas, and
cutting carbon emissions.
The Forum brings together top figures from across the nuclear
industry to support and advise the new Office for Nuclear
Development in creating the right conditions for new nuclear power
stations to be built in the UK as soon as possible.
During the meeting, Mr Hutton will also focus on the huge
opportunity for British manufacturers to become part of the
UK's new nuclear ambitions. He will highlight the benefits of
as much as possible of the predicted £20 billion private sector
investment and 100,000 jobs that could be created from new nuclear
power stations to be secured for the UK.
But with strong competition from such countries as China - which
has plans for 24 nuclear plants and outline proposals for another
76 - a strong British supply chain will be ideally positioned to
benefit and provide the valuable equipment and skills necessary.
Mr Hutton will say:
"I'm determined to press all the buttons to get nuclear
built in this country at the earliest opportunity - not only
because it's a no-brainer for our energy security, but also
because it's good for jobs and our economy.
"Insecure international sources of energy underline the case
for a diverse mix. We are determined to get new nuclear up and
running as soon as possible - securing clean low carbon energy and
helping to keep the UK's lights on.
"But we're facing stiff competition for this investment
and for the equipment we'll need to build these power
stations which is why I'm determined to ensure Britain
remains a competitive environment for nuclear investment.
"I know many manufacturers across the country already have
the skills and expertise needed to build power stations - but more
needs to be done to create and support a globally competitive UK
supply chain, focussing on high value added activities to take
advantage of the UK and global nuclear renaissance.
"I'm calling for a spotlight to be put on the
opportunities available to our companies from the UK's and
the world's nuclear new build programmes, and make sure they
take advantage of it. The new Office for Nuclear Development,
launched today, will play its part in this, working with the
supply chain, vendors and operators to develop capability where
gaps are identified."
The new Office for Nuclear Development (OND), part of the
Department for Business, is designed to facilitate new nuclear
investment in the UK - making the UK the best market in the world
for companies to invest in nuclear, as well as advise the
Secretary of State on the exercise of his regulatory and policy
functions in relation to the nuclear industry.
The Government will also today publish its response to the
consultation on the Funded Decommissioning Programme guidance. The
new guidance, to be finalised following the Royal Assent of the
Energy Bill, reiterates the Government's policy that nuclear
operators - not taxpayers - will have to meet the full cost of
decommissioning and their full share of waste management and
disposal costs. It helps provide a clear UK framework for the new
investment and underlines Government's confidence in the
private sector to deliver without any taxpayer funding
Notes to Editors
1. The new Office for Nuclear Development will retain and build
on the current work of the Nuclear Unit in the Department for
Business, joining-up the approximately 40 staff currently based
there with staff from other nuclear-focused teams from across
Government. The Office for Nuclear Development will be part of the
Department for Business.
2. The OND will exercise its functions in a manner which takes
account of the relevant regulatory regimes and Government's
broader energy goals. The OND, whose staff will be drawn from
both the civil service and from industry, will bring together the
relevant Government teams and resources to achieve its objectives.
It will be led by a non-executive chair. This appointment has yet
to be made, but the Chair will be a person with appropriate
experience of the nuclear industry.
3. More information about the work of the OND can be found at:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/nuclear/
4. The Government response to the consultation on Funded
Decommissioning Programme guidance will be available at: http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/nuclear/consultations/closed-response/page47749.html
5. Figures on China's nuclear build programme are contained
in the Economic Research Council Digest of Energy Statistics,
2008: http://www.ercouncil.org/energystatsdigest2008.pdf
6. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
helps UK business succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
It promotes business growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads
the better regulation agenda and champions free and fair markets.
It is the shareholder in a number of Government-owned assets and
it works to secure, clean and competitively priced energy supplies