The UK government has earmarked eight sites across the country as suitable locations for new nuclear power stations.
The announcement came as the government published its finalised Energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) for debate in parliament.
The Energy NPSs provide a framework for decision making and outline the need for a drive on investment in new energy sources, including 33GW of new renewable energy capacity.
The government hopes to have nuclear facilities up and running at the eight locations by 2025.
The sites are named as: Bradwell, Essex; Hartlepool, Borough of Hartlepool; Heysham, Lancashire; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Oldbury, South Glos.; Sellafield, Cumbria; Sizewell, Suffolk; and Wylfa, Isle of Anglesey.
Charles Hendry, minister of state for energy said: “Around a quarter of the UK’s generating capacity is due to close by the end of this decade. We need to replace this with secure, low carbon, affordable energy. This will require over £100 billion worth of investment in electricity generation alone. This means twice as much investment in energy infrastructure in this decade as was achieved in the last decade.
“Industry needs as much certainty as possible to make such big investments. These plans set out our energy need to help guide the planning process, so that if acceptable proposals come forward in appropriate places, they will not face unnecessary hold-ups.”
He concluded: “The Coalition government is determined to make the UK a truly attractive market for investors, to give us secure, affordable, low-carbon energy. These National Policy Statements are an important milestone.”
