UK Plans To Construct 16GW Nuclear Capacity

As part of its efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions, the UK plans to build a 16GW of new nuclear energy capacity, Dow Jones reported citing the UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The UK government now sees to triple nuclear energy generating capacity in the country to approximately 40% by 2025 from 13% now.

Mr Brown has been quoted by Dow Jones as saying: "We will now build not 12GW of nuclear capacity but 16GW, a total for new building that is bigger than all our current nuclear capacity and represents significant progress toward a low-carbon future."

Last month, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said in a report that a new nuclear programme can help the UK meet its carbon targets. The organisation further said that the country requires 16GW of new nuclear power (equivalent to 10-12 reactors) to meet climate change targets and reduce dependence on energy imports.

The UK government has recently approved ten sites in England and Wales for future nuclear power stations.

Source: Electrical Business Review