New nuclear sites could encourage people thinking of switching energy companies - 17/04/2009
The announcement of 11 different sites being proposed for new nuclear reactors could encourage people seeking price reductions from their energy suppliers.
Each reactor will cost £4.5 billion to construct and will be capable of generating electricity for up to two million homes, although the first will not be fully operational until at least 2017.
Industry experts are concerned that the production timeline for the new reactors will leave the UK with an energy shortage, especially given that several existing power plants are due to be decommissioned long before the nuclear replacements are ready.
Ed Miliband, the energy and climate change secretary, said: "Nuclear power is part of the low-carbon future for Britain. It also has the potential to offer thousands of jobs to the UK and multimillion-pound opportunities to British businesses."
He added that he is keen to hear the public's response to the list of proposed sites and people wishing to voice their opinions have a month in which to do so.
French-owned energy company EDF will be leading nuclear redevelopment in the UK, having bought British Energy last year.
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