This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7137881.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Nuclear plant given new lifeline Nuclear plant given new lifeline
(about 2 hours later)
The lifetime of Hunterston B nuclear power station has been extended by five years, it has been announced. Hundreds of jobs have been safeguarded by the announcement that the lifetime of Hunterston B nuclear power station has been extended by five years.
British Energy said the site in North Ayrshire would continue operating until at least 2016.British Energy said the site in North Ayrshire would continue operating until at least 2016.
Technical and economic evaluations were carried out to ensure the plant was viable over the next few years. Hunterston employs about 670 staff and brings in an estimated £55m a year to the local economy.
British Energy said the operation of Hinkley Point B, near Bridgwater, Somerset, was also being extended over the next five years. British Energy said the operation of Hinkley Point B, near Bridgwater, Somerset, was also being extended.
Hunterston employs about 520 full-time staff and 150 staff from contract partners. It brings in an estimated £55m a year to the local economy. Technical and economic evaluations were carried out to ensure the plants were viable over the next few years.
It also shows that British Energy recognises the professionalism and commitment of our staff in safely supplying low carbon electricity for more than 30 years Tom UngiHunterston B director
Tom Ungi, station director, said: "This is great news for all of us at Hunterston B and for everyone in the local North Ayrshire community.Tom Ungi, station director, said: "This is great news for all of us at Hunterston B and for everyone in the local North Ayrshire community.
British Energy recognises the professionalism and commitment of our staff in safely supplying low carbon electricity Tom UngiHunterston B director
"The decision means we can continue to provide highly-skilled jobs and bring major investment to the area."The decision means we can continue to provide highly-skilled jobs and bring major investment to the area.
"It also shows that British Energy recognises the professionalism and commitment of our staff in safely supplying low carbon electricity for more than 30 years.""It also shows that British Energy recognises the professionalism and commitment of our staff in safely supplying low carbon electricity for more than 30 years."
Carbon emissions
Hunterston B generates sufficient electricity to supply almost half the households in Scotland.Hunterston B generates sufficient electricity to supply almost half the households in Scotland.
British Energy said that during its working life the station had saved about 140 million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.British Energy said that during its working life the station had saved about 140 million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
'Major bonus'
This is equivalent to the entire population of Edinburgh reducing its carbon emissions to almost zero.This is equivalent to the entire population of Edinburgh reducing its carbon emissions to almost zero.
Tourism and Enterprise Minister Jim Mather, said: "The present government is not opposed to existing nuclear power until the end of its natural life but Scotland doesn't need or want new nuclear power stations.Tourism and Enterprise Minister Jim Mather, said: "The present government is not opposed to existing nuclear power until the end of its natural life but Scotland doesn't need or want new nuclear power stations.
'Major bonus'
"The fact here is that this decision would mean that the company would have to invest significantly more at Hunterston to ensure it remains safe and reliable."The fact here is that this decision would mean that the company would have to invest significantly more at Hunterston to ensure it remains safe and reliable.
"That has to be in Scotland's interest.""That has to be in Scotland's interest."
Amicus representative Stuart McGhie said staff were delighted with the news.Amicus representative Stuart McGhie said staff were delighted with the news.
"This life extension is a major bonus for the station," he said."This life extension is a major bonus for the station," he said.
"It's the result of a tremendous amount of hard work by everyone involved, both on and off site, to secure a further five years of safe, reliable generation - an achievement of which we are all very proud.""It's the result of a tremendous amount of hard work by everyone involved, both on and off site, to secure a further five years of safe, reliable generation - an achievement of which we are all very proud."