Britain secretly builds nuclear plants

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158367.html


Britain has already started work to build two new nuclear power stations even before receiving the building process approval, says a new alliance of anti-nuclear power campaigners.

The alliance accused the nuclear industry of jumping the gun by launching preparatory works at two sites including Hinkley Point in Somerset, Sizewell in Suffolk, the daily Morning Star reported.

The group said it has opposed proposals to construct nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point, Sizewell, Bradwell in Essex, Wylfa in Anglesey, Oldbury in Gloucestershire, Sellafield in Cumbria and Hartlepool in County Durham.

Communities Opposed to New Nuclear Energy Development (Conned) aims to bring together groups around seven sites earmarked for possible development.

Conned aims to not only raise public awareness about the health, environment and safety consequences of potential new nuclear power developments but also support the use of alternative energy strategies.

"It's clear that the industry wants to give the impression that everything is signed, sealed and delivered, hoping that the opposition will fade away,” Conned spokesman Crispin Aubrey said.

"In fact this is far from being the case. Opposition is strong and some investment analysts even argue that it will be extremely difficult for the companies to finance these expensive white elephants. Our local countryside will then have been trashed in vain," he added.

France pushes world to use nuclear power

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=120417&sectionid=351020603

France has urged international organizations to finance a new era of global nuclear power in a world facing scarcer fossil fuels and growing energy demands.

The request came as delegates from 60 energy-hungry nations arrived at Paris for a conference hosted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

While criticizing international finance bodies for "ostracizing" civil nuclear power, President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday promised to set up an international institute to promote atomic energy.

"I have decided to shift up a gear by creating an International Institute of Nuclear Energy that will include an international nuclear school," he said.

The president also called on world and regional financial bodies — such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development — to finance new nuclear projects in developing countries.

France has the world's second largest nuclear sector and generates around 75 percent of its own electricity through nuclear power.

Analysts believe that the two-day conference is just a trade show for the French nuclear contractors, who lost a massive $20 billion deal to South Korea, after the United Arab Emirates asked the Asian country to supply four reactors with a lower offer.

The meeting also comes at a sensitive time for nuclear diplomacy.

France is currently leading efforts for fresh UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

Israel, the US and some western countries accuse Iran of wanting to build nuclear weapons — an accusation that Iranian leaders have repeatedly denied, saying that the program is for peaceful purposes only.