Securing the long-term future of the UK energy supply is a priority for the government. In order to match energy use to future CO2 emission targets they are also looking at alternatives to fossil fuels for the answer.
The reason for seeking alternative power sources for the UK is two-fold. First, Britain has become a net importer of gas in 2004, seven years after becoming a net exporter. Secondly, the majority of the power that we are consuming is fossil-fuel based and therefore during its consumption produces harmful greenhouse gases.
As a result of the Climate Change Bill published in 2007, the UK is required to cut its total CO2 emissions by 60% - compared to 1990 levels - by 2050. Much of the energy provided to businesses and domestic properties in the UK is imported and is also high in carbon emissions. So, finding greener alternative sources of energy will not only remove the UK's reliance on imported power, it will also benefit the world's climate.
Once considered unpalatable by politicians and the public as a prolonged source of energy, the adoption of nuclear power is now a major part of the development strategy for UK future energy supplies, along with the advancement of renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wave and wind power. France generates almost 80% of its electricity from nuclear energy and although there are concerns about the safe disposal and storage of waste materials from nuclear plants, they certainly do not generate anywhere near the amount of carbon emissions given off by traditional coal-fired power stations. In the UK, the building of two new nuclear power plants at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk is already in the planning stage.
Unfortunately for consumers, electricity and gas prices are set to rise in the medium to long-term as the UK becomes more reliant on a rapidly dwindling global supply of oil and gas. Therefore, finding real and affordable alternatives for energy generation in the UK is beneficial to remove the country's reliance on gas and oil imports. In addition, if nuclear and renewable energies are adopted as alternatives to fossil fuels the government targets as laid out in the Climate Change Bill are more likely to be comfortably met.
However, before that happens, serious objections to the construction of new nuclear power plants at Hinckley Point and Sizewell must be overcome, and a clearer and more co-ordinated national policy must be agreed.