皇家华人

The Radio 4 discussion was prompted by the latest stage of a public consultation on Sizewell C that begins聽on Friday 4 January. The project is led by EDF Energy, in partnership with China General Nuclear Ltd.

Dr Dorfman presented the case against building more nuclear power stations in the UK, with Dr Dame Sue Ion (President of the National Nuclear Skills Academy)聽arguing in favour of the new plant. Dr Ion claimed that nuclear power was still very important for the UK energy mix, representing 鈥渓ow-carbon, reliable electricity鈥�.

Arguing that the new generation of planned nuclear plants will simply replace the existing fleet, Dr Ion claimed that renewables created a 鈥渓arge amount of uncertainty鈥�. Countering this, Dr Dorfman quoted the UK鈥檚 National Infrastructure Commission, which found that 鈥渞enewables represented the best option for consumers鈥�. Dr Dorfman pointed out that while investment in renewables is growing around the world, investment in nuclear is falling. He noted that according to the International Energy Agency:

By 2023, renewables will count for one third of energy generation worldwide.鈥�

Dr Ion argued that lessons would be learned from the current construction of Hinkley Point C, making the Sizewell project more efficient. However, describing nuclear power as 鈥渁n old twentieth century industrial failure鈥�, Dr Dorfman noted that 鈥渢he same reactor that is mooted for Sizewell is three times over cost and three times over time, wherever it鈥檚 been built, including China鈥�.

You can listen to the full interview online on the 聽(starts at 2 hours, 49 minutes and 52 seconds).

• Find out more about Energy Systems research at the UCL Energy Institute

Image: Doel nuclear power station in Belgium.聽Photo by .