Background:
Britain has an energy
problem. In order to ensure energy supply for the future we have to invest in
some form of long lasting energy generation. It cannot be Gas or Coal because
these supplies are running out. There is some investment in renewable energy
sources but these are expensive and so far only provide a small percentage of
our required electricity. Nuclear energy has been tried and tested, has
environmental and safety issues and requires high capitol investment in order
to get off the ground.
Britain has several
nuclear generators, many of which are coming to the end of their working lives.
The government has decided that the best way forward is to build a new reactor
at Hinckley Point in Somerset.
Summary:
-The
coalition government has promised not to pass on the cost of nuclear energy to
the taxpayer.
-They
have accepted quotes from the French company EDF (part state owned) and their
Chinese investors to build and run the new power plant in Somerset.
-They
have agreed a deal with EDF to guarantee the price per megawatt hour of the
energy produced for 35 years starting in 2023.
Controversy:
-The
price that has been agreed on per megawatt hour is seen as a gamble because it
is very difficult to foresee the prices of energy in the future.
-Despite
promising to the contrary the cost for this agreed amount per megawatt hour
could be passed on the taxpayer in the form of energy bills. (Depending on the
future cost of nuclear power.)
-Because
it is a 35 year agreement, they have made a political promise that goes far
beyond the term of the current government and impacts on future governments.
-The
current energy secretary is a Liberal Democrat, in the past he has been
personally anti investment in nuclear power. In addition the Lib-Dems themselves
have taken an anti nuclear stance, therefore the announcement of this deal
makes them look unprincipled.
-The
coalition government (the dominant conservative faction) do not believe in
nationalised industry. Yet, they are prepared to invest in French nationalised
industry in Britain.
-It
is unclear how many jobs the new plant will create for British workers.
-A
major stress point for this deal is the fact that it is the French (our
historical rivals) and the Chinese (the dangerous new world power) that benefit
from the situation.
-Originally
the British gave birth to nuclear power generation (Aldermaston) but have a
government that have bee so indecisive about how to invest in energy generation
that we are now left unable to control our own power supply.
-Energy
prices have already been raised in preparation for the cold winter months, and
the public awareness of this makes this story seem more immediate and
personally relevant to the ordinary person.
My opinions:
Because there
are so many interweaving areas of this story there are numerous opinions I have
on each. They are as follows.
-Any profits
that arise from running this nuclear power plant should go into not only
reducing the cost of the energy per mega watt hour but also into developing more
renewable energy sources.
-Why is it we
always expect energy to be so cheap anyway?
-We should be
hesitant to use nuclear power.
-We should
really just pay a little bit more and get fully renewable energy sources set
up.
-Renewable
energy sources should be an international concern, each country has great
resources i.e. the British coast line is perfect for wind and wave power
generation.
The routes I
will follow for my research will each follow one of these opinions.
The areas of
research I want to look into are as follows:
-International renewable energy sources.
-Renewable energy sources.
-Nuclear power, how it works and its signs and
symbols
-The history of nuclear power, why we distrust it.
-The British identity and the nationalism this
story has revealed.
-Electricity production and its costs
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