PLANS for a new generation of nuclear power stations and help for 27 million home owners to reduce their fuel bills were among a raft of measures announced yesterday that are intended to shape the energy market for up to 40 years.

The Government's Energy Review took the same facts that were available to the 2002 Energy White Paper - that Britain needs to cut its carbon emissions because of climate change and will be 85 per cent dependent on imported gas by 2020 - and came up with radically different, pro-nuclear conclusions.

Alistair Darling, the Trade and Industry Secretary, said that up to a third of Britain's power stations would need to be replaced over the next 20 years, otherwise nuclear stations would be providing only six per cent of our electricity by 2020.

He said: "Our analysis suggests that, alongside other low carbon generating options, a new generation of nuclear power stations could make a contribution to reducing carbon emissions and reducing our reliance on imported energy.''

The measures proposed would speed up the development of power station projects, whether wind or nuclear, phase out inefficient electrical goods, provide grants for low carbon forms of generation and reduce emissions from large organisations. Measures include Planning

A "fundamental reform'' of the planning system for energy projects is promised. This could include a "statement of need'' for projects such as nuclear power stations, which would resolve major national issues in advance and mean they were not discussed by public inquiries.

Nuclear power stations and controversial onshore wind projects would be decided by a "high level inspector'' - a QC or a judge.

He or she would ensure the inquiries were run to clearly defined timescales, weigh them against national criteria already established and ensure maximum use was made of the powers set out in the new major infrastructure projects rules.

The review is also proposing to "work with'' the Scottish Executive to streamline its planning system. Currently 24 wind farm projects await approval in Scotland. Also under planning, the Government is proposing to remove the requirement for home wind turbines and solar panels to have planning permission, "wherever possible''. Nuclear

Any new nuclear power station would have to be proposed, developed, constructed and operated by the private sector, which would also meet decommissioning costs.

The Government will help developers identify the most suitable sites but it will be up to potential builders of power stations to identify sites and negotiate access to them.

Meanwhile, it has asked the Health and Safety Executive to develop a pre-licensing, design authorisation procedure and the Environment Agency to develop a similar system of pre- authorisation.

A senior individual with experience of capital projects will develop arrangements for the disposal of nuclear waste.

Cleaner energy

Only four per cent of Britain's electricity currently comes from renewables - almost entirely onshore wind. That is well short of the 10 per cent the Government has committed to generating from renewables by 2010. To boost wind, wave and tidal forms of generation, the Government proposes to strengthen the Renewables Obligation, introduced in 2002, which obliges electricity suppliers to take a rising percentage of their electricity from renewable sources.

The review says it wants to provide less subsidy to forms of renewable energy that are already profitable, such as onshore wind, and to provide greater long term certainty for investors in offshore wind, wave and tidal power. Microgeneration

The Government proposes to use the powers it gained under a Private Member's Bill, now an Act, this year to make generators pay more realistic prices for energy generated in the home by wind turbines, heat pumps or micro-combined heat and power plants.

Carbon capture and storage

A demonstration programme for capturing carbon and storing it in disused oil wells will be launched in September. The system might eventually take 80 per cent of the carbon from coal-fired power stations and isolate it from the atmosphere permanently. If successful, the next stage would be a commercial project.

Dumping pollutants under the sea remains illegal under the London Dumping Convention. The Government promises to work internationally to change the rules.

Energy efficiency

There will be a move away from "estimated'' gas and electricity bills: customers will get an actual bill at least once a year showing how their energy use compares with previous years.

Retailers and manufacturers are to be encouraged to phase out inefficient household goods and office equipment, including standby functions on TVs.

There will be moves to encourage large organisations not currently bound by the carbon trading scheme - such as supermarkets, hotel chains, local authorities and Government departments - to save energy.

Energy performance certificates will be in the new Home Information Packs.

The Government intends to make its own estate carbon neutral by 2012. It will undertake a feasibility study into making the Thames Gateway a low carbon development area within a decade.

The Government is to lobby the European Union to include road transport in the carbon trading scheme by 2008/9.