5 Jul (NucNet): The UK’s nuclear energy industry has “a huge amount of work to do” in engaging with government and the general public following the events at Fukushima-Daiichi Japan, the new chairman of the UK’s Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) has said.
In an interview with the NIA’s ‘Industry Link’ magazine, Lord Hutton said: “We fully recognise that we have much to do – that we must present our case in a robust and transparent manner, while clearly making the case for new nuclear power stations to be built in the UK.”
He said: “We must do this before any new reactor can go online in the UK.”
Post-Fukushima politicians will require extra information and all the facts at their disposal to ensure their support for nuclear is well-founded.
Lord Hutton said the nuclear energy industry is “rigorously regulated” in the UK and the public can be assured that nuclear plants in the UK are safe and will be safe in future.
“I see a huge opportunity for British manufacturing and industry as we move forward our civil nuclear ambitions. In five years’ time I would want to see us moving ahead with construction of a new fleet of nuclear power stations in the UK.”
Last month the UK government published finalised proposals that name eight sites across the country as suitable for the construction of new nuclear plants by 2025.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Lord Hutton Is New Chairman Of UK’s NIA (News in Brief No. 16, 11 May 2011)
The NucNet database contains more than 15,000 reports published since 1991. To subscribe or ask for any further information email info@worldnuclear.org
