Darling Backs Nuclear to Stop UK Energy 'Drying Up'

Darling Backs Nuclear to Stop UK Energy 'Drying Up'

May 23 - Evening News; Edinburgh (UK)

Alistair Darling today paved the way for a new generation of nuclear power stations after saying he feared UK electricity supplies could "dry up" without them.

The Trade and Industry Secretary sparked furious opposition to the controversial plans set out in an energy white paper.

Meanwhile, new Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather promised more support to green technology.

Backed by Tony Blair, Mr Darling said today it would be "a profound mistake" to rule out building nuclear power stations to secure power supplies for the next 20 years. One likely site is Torness in East Lothian, where local MP Anne Moffat strongly supports a new reactor.

But Mr Darling also stressed that action needed to be taken to reduce consumption through greater energy efficiency in the home and the development of renewable sources of power, such as wind and wave. However, Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat John Barrett today warned: "Every pound we spend on new nuclear power is a pound that could have been spent on clean forms of energy generation."

Mr Darling said the decision had to be taken now or gas imports would rise from just ten per cent of electricity demand today to a third by 2010 and 80 per cent by 2020. He added: "I come to this debate as a nuclear sceptic. But I am now convinced that we need new nuclear stations. We run the risk on a very hot day or a very cold day of the electricity supply drying up."

Green Party spokeswoman Sian Berry said: "If the government do go down the nuclear route, they will be committing the UK to a dirty, dangerous and astronomically expensive future."

Mr Mather said today: "One of the main priorities of the new Scottish government is on sustainable growth."