DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/044)
issued by The Government News Network on 26 February 2008
The UK will take
part in the global development of secure nuclear energy; Business
Secretary John Hutton announced today, as the UK accepts an
invitation to join the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).
Mr Hutton, who will sign the agreement during a two day visit to
Washington DC, will also meet with US energy companies to discuss
potential investment in new nuclear build in the UK.
The signing of GNEP and the meeting with US energy companies
follows John Hutton's recent announcement to invite proposals
for new nuclear as part of the UK energy mix.
The UK is the twenty-first country to join the international
partnership, which promotes responsible nuclear development while
reducing volumes of waste and the risk of nuclear proliferation.
GNEP also enables the UK and other developed countries to share
experience on a wide range of issues, such as infrastructure
assessments, security and safety requirements, which will help
developing countries identify whether nuclear power generation is
suitable for them and how to proceed with its implementation.
Signing the partnership's Statement of Principles in
Washington DC, John Hutton said:
"The UK shares in the vision of improved non-proliferation
and nuclear waste management and recognises the real benefits of
initiatives such as GNEP to implement the right solutions and
further develop international standards and best practice.
"With the UK's advanced knowledge and capabilities,
particularly in nuclear waste management, GNEP opens up the
potential for UK organisations to share their expertise globally
through tapping into international projects and building business partnerships.
"With a new generation of nuclear energy now set to be part
of the UK's future energy mix, the UK is in position to play
a role in this global initiative."
As members, the UK will be able to further contribute to the
development of international policy on the use of nuclear power,
non-proliferation and the disposal of nuclear waste to ensure the
safe and secure development of nuclear energy worldwide.
Notes to Editors
1. John Hutton will meet The US Secretary for Nuclear Energy,
Samuel Bodman and sign the GNEP Statement of Principles in
Washington DC on Tuesday, 26 February 2008.
2. For details on the signing, contact Angela Hill at the US
Department of Energy on 001 202 586 3261 or email Angela.Hill@hq.doe.gov.
3. For more information on John Hutton's visit to Washington
DC contact the BERR press office.
4. GNEP is a US initiative and promotes international
collaboration to develop new spent fuel processing technology and
advanced breeder reactors. Fuel production, reprocessing and
ultimately waste storage services will then be provided to
countries that have reactors but do not have those associated fuel
cycle activities. This will enable countries to use nuclear energy
for electricity generation without the need for them to possess
sensitive technologies that could be used for weapons production.
5. For further information on GNEP: http://www.gnep.energy.gov/
6. Other GNEP members include: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada,
China, France, Ghana, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan,
Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Senegal,
Slovenia, Ukraine and the United State.
7. The UK remains committed to the strict observance of relevant
commitments and international obligations, including International
Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and the requirements of United
Nations Security Council resolution 1540.
8. 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.