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27 March 2006 - Britain's chief government scientific advisor Sir David King says the nuclear power should provide the county's base load power representing around 40 per cent of electricity production.
His comments were made in an interview with the Financial Times published today in which he said that renewable power could make up another 10-20 per cent and that thermal power generation should be used to deal withy peak loads.
Sir David emphasized he was voicing a personal opinion and that such a scenario would be subject to public acceptability. "A possible scenario for the energy mix on the grid which could deliver competitive prices, a secure supply, and a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions would be up to 40 per cent from nuclear energy, used all year round for baseline supply; 10-20 per cent from renewables; and the remainder, only brought into play for peak demand, from gas and coal," he said.
The government is undertaking a consultation as part of its energy review and energy minister Malcolm Wicks made it clear in recent statements that nuclear safety must be paramount. The wide-ranging review will, among other things, examine if new nuclear power plants should be built in the UK to replace the aging fleet of reactors.
Britain produced around 20 per cent of its power from nuclear power currently, down from 25 per cent. If no replacement reactors are built all but one of Britain's nuclear power stations will be closed by 2023.
Sir David believes both nuclear power and renewable energy sources must be used together if Britain hopes to meet its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.
Wind, waves and sun are increasingly seen as a prospective supply of carbon-free electricity. But the energy they deliver is too sporadic and unpredictable to rely upon for baseload. Conversely, the government sees problems with relying too heavily on nuclear generation.
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