Nuclear is 'absolutely needed' in the future UK energy mix: IEA

London (Platts)--2Mar2007

Nuclear is "absolutely needed" in the future UK energy mix, International
Energy Agency Executive Director Claude Mandil told a London press conference
March 1. He presented the IEA's in-depth review of UK energy policy at a
Department of Trade and Industry briefing, during which he warned the UK
government about becoming too dependent on gas. New energy supply investments
this past year have focused on gas-fired generation, something the UK
government should monitor, he said. All options should remain open for
potential developers of power stations to use other fuels, including nuclear,
renewables and coal, he said. Mandil said that the UK's planning and licensing
system is also proving a "significant barrier" to energy infrastructure
developments, something that could "become a risk to security of supply." He
described the UK government's energy review as "a significant step in the
right direction on these matters."