Don't stop push for nuclear - EdF COO

Source: Energy Digital

Date :07/07/2008 19:25:59

‘Don’t let up for a second in push to build nuclear power stations in the UK.’ That’s the message from EDF Energy’s chief operating officer Martin Lawrence this week.

Commenting at Building’s Gearing up for Nuclear New Build conference on Monday, Lawrence said Europe’s energy vulnerability presented the industry with an “amazing opportunity”.

He said: “We urge the government not to relax their efforts, not for a second. It’s about keeping the lights on in the UK and across Europe, protecting customers from fuel poverty and saving our planet from catastrophe.”

EDF plans to build up to four nuclear stations in the UK. Lawrence said they would be “UK projects, with UK jobs and UK companies”.

At the conference was Lakhbir Hans of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, outlined the government’s proposed timetable for choosing nuclear sites. She said there would be an eight-week window for site nominations early next year.

Jean Llewellyn, head of the new National Skills Academy for Nuclear, also outlined plans for a “passport” scheme to increase the flow of personnel between nuclear projects by allowing employers to check CVs online.