Latest news

Nuclear energy regulator proposed

Written by Emily Thomas

The government has proposed that a body to regulate the nuclear energy sector in the UK be set up.

Energy and climate change minister Lord Hunt explained that "world class safety standards" are required if countries are to begin using nuclear power to generate energy.

He added that the new body, if established, would be responsible for overseeing the security of nuclear sites and would also act as a watchdog to ensure the safety of the transport of materials.

"The UK's nuclear regulators are renowned for their technical excellence and effectiveness," Lord Hunt told the audience at a nuclear supply chain conference yesterday (Tuesday, June 30th).

"This is intended to build on that strength with a modern organisation that is empowered to meet the challenges of changing requirements due to the UK's new nuclear programme, ageing nuclear power reactors and the decommissioning of legacy nuclear plants."

According to figures from the World Nuclear Association, the UK has 19 nuclear power plants. However, all but one of these will be decommissioned by 2023.

Sign up for regular email updates to help you save money and energy

Further information:

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=404199&SubjectId=15&DepartmentMode=true
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf84.html