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Brown expands nuclear ambitions Brown expands nuclear ambitions
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said the UK needs to increase its nuclear power capacity - raising the prospect of plants being built in new locations.Gordon Brown has said the UK needs to increase its nuclear power capacity - raising the prospect of plants being built in new locations.
The prime minister said that with oil prices soaring, it was time to be "more ambitious" for nuclear plans.The prime minister said that with oil prices soaring, it was time to be "more ambitious" for nuclear plans.
No 10 sources said it was "open" as to whether new sites might be needed.No 10 sources said it was "open" as to whether new sites might be needed.
Ministers announced in January they backed new plants, but the focus was on replacing existing nuclear capacity as plants reached the end of their life.Ministers announced in January they backed new plants, but the focus was on replacing existing nuclear capacity as plants reached the end of their life.
And a review of possible sites published at the same time focused on 14 locations where there have been nuclear power plants before.And a review of possible sites published at the same time focused on 14 locations where there have been nuclear power plants before.
'Pretty clear''Pretty clear'
Since then Business Secretary John Hutton has said he wants the nuclear industry to go beyond replacing its 23 ageing reactors, which provide 20% of the UK's electricity.Since then Business Secretary John Hutton has said he wants the nuclear industry to go beyond replacing its 23 ageing reactors, which provide 20% of the UK's electricity.
He has said no "artificial cap" will be put on the proportion of electricity to be generated by this or any other source of "low-carbon energy".He has said no "artificial cap" will be put on the proportion of electricity to be generated by this or any other source of "low-carbon energy".
EXISTING GOVERNMENT PLANS Speed up planning process to make it easier to build plantsNo public subsidies for nuclear except in emergenciesNo limit to amount of electricity generated by nuclear powerNew independent body to monitor decommissioning costsTrebling of investment in wind and wave powerStore nuclear waste at 'interim' facility until suitable underground site found Guide to nuclear powerQ&A: Nuclear power plansAnalysis: Job done?EXISTING GOVERNMENT PLANS Speed up planning process to make it easier to build plantsNo public subsidies for nuclear except in emergenciesNo limit to amount of electricity generated by nuclear powerNew independent body to monitor decommissioning costsTrebling of investment in wind and wave powerStore nuclear waste at 'interim' facility until suitable underground site found Guide to nuclear powerQ&A: Nuclear power plansAnalysis: Job done?
But Mr Brown's comments are the first time he has said explicitly that building plans for nuclear plants should be expanded beyond merely replacements.But Mr Brown's comments are the first time he has said explicitly that building plans for nuclear plants should be expanded beyond merely replacements.
Speaking to oil industry representatives in Banchory, near Aberdeen, Mr Brown said: "We want to do more to diversify our supply of energy and that's why I think we are pretty clear that we will have to do more than simply replace existing nuclear capability in Britain.Speaking to oil industry representatives in Banchory, near Aberdeen, Mr Brown said: "We want to do more to diversify our supply of energy and that's why I think we are pretty clear that we will have to do more than simply replace existing nuclear capability in Britain.
"We will be more ambitious for our plans for nuclear in the future.""We will be more ambitious for our plans for nuclear in the future."
Downing Street sources said plans could involve expanding existing nuclear power stations or building plants on new sites.Downing Street sources said plans could involve expanding existing nuclear power stations or building plants on new sites.
'No chance' Planning changes
Energy companies, rather than the government, build power stations and the January statement was important in encouraging private firms to invest in new plants.Energy companies, rather than the government, build power stations and the January statement was important in encouraging private firms to invest in new plants.
The planning system is already being changed to make it easier for key infrastructure projects such as nuclear power to get planning permission.The planning system is already being changed to make it easier for key infrastructure projects such as nuclear power to get planning permission.
French firm EDF has said it plans to construct four plants without subsidies in the UK - the first by 2017.French firm EDF has said it plans to construct four plants without subsidies in the UK - the first by 2017.
But critics of nuclear energy say it is expensive, creates radioactive waste and could become a target for terrorists.
Greenpeace claims that even 10 new reactors would cut the UK's carbon emissions by only about 4% some time after 2025.
The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to focus its efforts on renewable sources, such as wind and wave power.
In January the Conservatives backed the building of new nuclear power plants as long as no public subsidy was involved.
Energy policy is not a devolved matter but Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has said there is "no chance" of more nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.Energy policy is not a devolved matter but Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has said there is "no chance" of more nuclear power stations being built in Scotland.
The nuclear industry currently employs around 40,000 workers and supports another 40,000 jobs indirectly. No new plants have been built in the UK since Sizewell B, which opened in 1994.
No new nuclear power plants have been built in the UK since Sizewell B, which opened in 1994.